CGS SS 202 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Security Interest, Grand Strategy, Henry Kissinger
6 Apr 2016
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Document Summary
End of the cold war and beyond: end of the cold war. Carter wanted to get away from confrontation with soviet union: bring everyone into positive relationships emphasizing human rights. When soviets invade afghanistan, u. s. realize policy won"t work. Reagan had much more aggressive attitude towards soviet union: had no trust in them, wanted to restore america morale. Reagan"s rhetorical initiative that democracy would dominate (not communism) Reagan"s u. s. moral mission defend freedom and advocate for capitalism/democracy: different from nixon and carter, new arms race. Reagan didn"t like arms control initiations: felt soviets had taken advantage to improve/build-up arms. Window of vulnerability with u. s. not having weapons up to date: thought soviet union could get jump on u. s, increased defense spending. Wanted to negotiate from position of strength not to go to war. Strategic defense initiative (sdi) idea to gain capability to shoot down ballistic missiles: could interrupt mutually assured destruction destabilized balance.
