ABSTRACT
Mikhail Gorbachev's changes are rooted in domestic economic and social problems. Gorbachev's first efforts at restructuring the economy continued Andropov's initiatives on discipline and modest organizational changes. Gorbachev promotes liberalization because of his domestic concerns. Gorbachev's foreign policy is in one way almost the obverse of his domestic policy. The most interesting innovation in Soviet foreign policy under Gorbachev is in Asia. The most striking change in Gorbachev's foreign policy is its tactical sophistication. It is worth noting that the Reagan Administration's policy toward the Soviet Union began to change before Gorbachev became General Secretary in February, 1985. America has a fifth interest in Gorbachev's reforms to the extent that they increase contacts and enhance societal learning in the Soviet Union. Gorbachev's Soviet Union is very different from Stalin's. Maintaining political cohesion in the Western alliance will be more difficult under Gorbachev than under his predecessors.
