Abstract
The paper shows how Mikhail Gorbachev attempted to broker peace with the U.S. and it discusses his desire to see if not the complete destruction of nuclear weapons then at least a reduction in them, and a closer relationship with the U.S. that enabled a closer working partnership. Of importance, according to the author, are Gorbachev's summits held with Reagan in Reykjavik, Iceland, Moscow and in Washington D.C. The author discusses Gorbachev's incredible popularity in the west. The paper also briefly touches on the theory that a hard line U.S. policy toward the Soviet Union was the factor in bringing about a change in the Soviet's attitude.

From the Paper
"This theory that the U.S. forced the Soviets into reforms is a plausible, and convincing argument. However, it does not answer why that this policy had never worked before. Certainly after WW11 the Soviet Union was in a much weaker position to the U.S. both economically and militarily. The Truman administration took a hard line against the Soviets, yet they had not wavered, even though the U.S. at that time was the only nation with nuclear weapons. This theory also fails to take into account the role played by Gorbachev, nor give him the credit he deserves."

Tags:foreign, policy, relations, Brzezenski, Afghanistan, Starwars, SDI, Russia