Striving to Sell SALT Two: Seven Years of Soviet Arguments

摘要

Based on Soviet sources, this paper reviews Soviet arguments in favor of SALT 2 over the course of seven years of negotiations (1972-1979). The paper analyzes four themes and six objectives found in Soviet writings on SALT 2 in seeking to answer why the Soviets so consistently supported SALT 2. Conclusions are tentative. The themes reflect Soviet notions of continual conflict between opposing ideological camps in the nuclear age. The objectives aimed to constrain U.S. forces while preserving those of the USSR. Through SALT, it can be speculated, the Soviet Union sought to balance -- or overbalance-- its military forces, probably to permit power projection for political purposes. (Author)