Eduard Shevardnadze - A Prophet Without Honor in His Own Land
Abstract
Although many pundits had predicted the Soviet Union's eventual demise, when Eduard Shevardnadze was appointed foreign minister in July 1985 few observers recognized how soon the end would come, or how swiftly fundamental change in the Soviet Union's foreign policy would be accomplished. Shevardnadze's early understanding of his country's problems and his vision for solving them helped shift the focus of Soviet foreign policy from an obsession with military strength and the balance of power toward securing the nation's security through an end to Soviet isolation and reform of its internal political and economic processes. Over time, the nation's continuing economic decline, Shevardnadze's idealism, and the perception that he received little in return for concessions made to the West, alienated the nation's political elite and probably contributed to both his and Mikhail Gorbachev's departure from power. There can be little doubt, however, that Shevardnadze's stewardship of Soviet foreign policy during the period of transition was a major reason for the relatively peaceful demise of Soviet totalitarianism, or that the ideas he championed will remain a part of the political debate in Russia for the foreseeable future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA441665
Entities
People
- William M. Bartlett
Organizations
- National War College