ABSTRACT

Mikhail Gorbachev's focus on relations with Washington reflects in no small measure a continuing uncertainty in his ability to manage the Reagan Administration. While loath to confess policy concerns openly, Soviet spokesmen regard the Reagan Administration as the most problematic they have ever confronted. The problem confronting Gorbachev is how to best approach management of a militarily resurgent, combative, essentially antagonistic, and politically skillful adversary. The Soviets are obviously frustrated. As Izvestiya commentator Aleksandr Bovin put it on April 1, 1986, while the American partners are "too unreliable" to deal with, the Soviets have no choice but "to deal with those who are given by history and destiny." Gorbachev gave some indication of his concerns when he stated in his Congress speech that "in the military sphere intend to act in the future so that no one has any ground for fears, even if they are imagined, for their security."