ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the possibility that there really does exist a Soviet willingness to pursue meaningful negotiations to overcome continued geopolitical struggle and to reduce the attendant threat of nuclear war. Soviets at all levels see Soviet-American relations as their most critical international relationship. This perception appears to be shared by both those who hope for a cooperative relationship and those who fear or desire a confrontational relationship. Soviets want American recognition of their equality on the international scene, but barring that recognition they appear willing to demonstrate this equality through unilateral action. Soviet attitudes toward commercial aspects of the US relationship mirror their political attitudes. Business deals are probably determined by strictly economic considerations. The published theoretical writings of several Soviet military officers have alarmed many Western analysts. According to these observers, the writings emphasize nuclear “war-fighting” rather than “war-deterring.”
