ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses U.S.–Soviet strategic engagement during the Cold War through an intensive focus on the 1972 Incidents at Sea Agreement (INCSEA) which encompasses all three primary strategic engagement activities – bilateral contacts between senior military and civilian officials; appointment of defence attachés; and contacts and exchanges between military personnel. In addition, a secondary instance of U.S.–Soviet strategic engagement, the U.S.–Soviet Standing Consultative Commission (SCC) pursuant to the ABM Treaty, is examined. Given the adversarial posture of these two great powers during the Cold War, it is important to study instances of strategic engagement which may have lessened tensions and helped to avert conflict. INCSEA and the SCC represent the only major institutionalized fora for continuous strategic engagement during and beyond the détente era. INCSEA, and to a lesser degree the SCC, were successful instruments of strategic engagement which endured the vicissitudes of the Cold War as well as the dissolution of the Soviet Union and beyond.
