Deterrence and the Revolution in Soviet Military Doctrine

Book excerpt: Dramatic changes under way in the Soviet union and the world have significant implications for American security policy. Soviet expert Raymond L. Garthoff makes use of unique, newly available material—including a complete file of the confidential Soviet General Staff journal—to illuminate the development of Soviet military thinking. In this groundbreaking study, Garthoff explains that the Soviets regard nuclear deterrence only as a necessary interim safeguard, not a solution to the quest for security. He examines the implications of the "remarkable recasting of the Soviet concept of security" for U.S. policy and global security.