Book Description

Domestic perestroika and 'new thinking' in Soviet foreign policy seem to be at the core of the changes sweeping the communist world and, consequently, the entire system of international relations. As a component of the 'new thinking' in foreign policy, the Soviets have espoused a new defensive military doctrine. Western defense analysts hold a wide variety of views as to the true nature of the new doctrine and of its implications for Western security. This paper first reviews the traditional components of Soviet military doctrine and then the basic concepts of the new thinking in military affairs and the emerging new defensive doctrine. Next, the various analytical perspectives, characterized as positive, cynical and skeptical, are examined, along with the implications of each analysis. Finally, the paper concludes with a judgment on the most useful perspective for the policymaker and offers some suggestions for a broad Western response to the new Soviet military doctrine.