ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the question of Soviet foreign policy during the period of detente and expanding commercial relations. In view of efforts to increase its influence in the Third World, its invasion of Afghanistan, its exorbitant defense spending and military buildup, and involvement in Poland, the Soviet Union has certainly not been a model member of the world community. George Shultz, echoing the feelings of much of the business community, registered his strong disapproval of the approach and referred to it disparagingly as 'lightswitch diplomacy'. In view of experience it is clear that the US and West do not have a coherent and effective alliance strategy of economic diplomacy. One of the major factors contributing to confused attempts in the United States to use East-West trade to serve political and security objectives is the obvious lack of consensus in the US political system about the feasibility and advisability of doing so.
