The Challenges of 'Glasnost' for Western Intelligence
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to assess the challenges that glasnost poses for Western Intelligence communities, and the wider implications these challenges hold within the broader political context. This paper starts out by establishing the actual meaning and the political and historical context of glasnost in order to set a proper framework for assessing its impact in the West. Then historical lessons are drawn from the British attempt to assess Germany as a threat in the 1930's as a model for how democracies can fail in properly assessing an alien political culture. Problems inherent in formulating assessments of the Soviets by the West in the earlier post war environment are also addressed. The lessons and legacies respectively of these experiences are then applied to the presently evolving situation. The bottom line is that glasnost is adding yet another layer of confusion for Western intelligence agencies and political leaders in assessing the nature and direction of developments in the Soviet Union. (jg)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 30, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA222905
Entities
People
- Robert H. Riemann
Organizations
- United States Army War College