alang@shark.UUCP (10/13/86)
So much for the concept of SDI being a bargaining chip. And to think I actually fell for this idea at one time. I can't believe those two men were so close to eliminating all strategic nuclear warheads, and couldn't compromise on the one issue that stood in their way. Has anyone heard what compromises were proposed, and by who? Alan Geist tektronix!shark!alang
tedrick@ernie.Berkeley.EDU (Tom Tedrick) (10/14/86)
After seeing all kinds of BS about the recent Iceland summit, I thought you should know the truth :-) The Soviet strategy was very simple: either weaken SDI or create/accentuate divisions in the west (which may indirectly weaken SDI anyway). (See "Strategy", by Liddell-Hart, for more discussion of this method of dual objectives, where the adversary is put on the "horns of a dilemma" by being unable to defend against both objects of the enemy plan.) So they presented Reagan with two bad alternatives: if he decides to keep SDI the Soviets give his internal political opposition (ie Democrats, liberals, etc.) ammunition to attack and weaken the Republicans for the November elections, accentuate the split between liberals and conservatives in Europe, weaken the NATO alliance, etc. The absolute cynicism of the Soviet leadership in using the meeting solely for political/propaganda purposes has a downside for them that I hope they will consider: by destroying the small amount of credibility they have remaining they may create an irrevocable feeling on the right that the time has come for abandoning efforts to negotiate with the Soviets and preparing in earnest for a real war, say 10 years down the road, when there will be a chance that the west will have a decisive advantage, through exploitation of new weapons technology and tactics. When are the Soviets going to cease their efforts to take advantage of every situation and learn to cooperate for the benefit of both sides? The USA/USSR could establish a world order ensuring peace, security and stability for all. Instead the Soviets are shortsightedly pursuing policies of destabilization of the rest of the world. It is time they started acting like a responsible and powerful nation instead of a bunch of wild-eyed revolutionaries bent on overthrowing the world order. The USSR itself is now a fundamental part of the establishment and has much to lose by creating chaos in the world.