The Challenges of Glasnost for Western Intelligence

Abstract

Contrary to current widespread usage in the West, glasnost does not mean "openness." Its most proximate English definition in standard Russian usage would be "publicity," i.e. making public or making known. Appreciating this difference is critical to better understanding the original intent of glasnost in terms of its domestic political context. It is also critical to better assessing the implications of glasnost for us in the West. In particular, it is vital to a better understanding of the challenges and wider implications of this concept for Western intelligence communities. Glasnost represents an attempt by President Mikhail Gorbachev to motivate the generally impassive Soviet public to help carry out his restructuring (perestroika) of Soviet society. It was meant to be used to point out deficiencies in the system, and does not represent an end in itself.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA527940

Entities

People

  • Robert H. Riemann

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Arms Control
  • Europe
  • Germany
  • Governments
  • Health Care
  • Intelligence Community
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Organizations
  • National Security
  • Public Relations
  • Security
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • Ussr
  • War
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Educational Psychology
  • Systems Analysis and Design