ABSTRACT
Mikhail Gorbachev's redefined view of world politics supports a number of innovative policies. His determination to reduce East-West hostility has brought major initiatives in arms control and national security policy, and in the settlement of regional conflicts. Gorbachev's new security policy is intended to present a more credible and less threatening face. Gorbachev's willingness to support settlements of regional conflicts through United Nations auspices or through American mediation has required some justification. Gorbachev's disinterest in Third World causes has built on an established mood of disillusionment with the USSR's commitments there, and the "de-ideologizing" of interstate relations has encouraged some significant revision of the theoretical foundations of Soviet involvement. The most blistering criticism of Soviet Third World policy has been in relation to military involvement, in keeping with the theme that foreign policy should serve Soviet national interests, and that stereotypes and preoccupation with class struggle should not encourage confrontation in an "interdependent but integral world.".
