For almost 40 years the perception of a Soviet threat has influenced much foreign and domestic political behavior in the United States. How to respond to the threat has been a subject of intense debate, but the reality of the threat has been taken for granted. Conviction about the reality of this threat dates back to George Kennan's long telegram…

Presents an interview of the authors regarding their forthcoming book, including biographical sketches of Dean Acheson, Averell Harriman, Robert Lovett, George Kennan, John McCloy, and Charles Bohlen, all charter members of the post-World War II foreign policy establishment. (JDH)

States that autobiographies such as Patricia Hampl's may be the best source of information for revealing the effects of the Cold War on the American psyche. Maintains that such works may help counteract the narrow and naive view of superpower relations youth gain from such movies as "Rocky" and "Rambo." (JDH)

The history of the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union is related, and the role assigned to conventional and nuclear forces in both countries is explained. A plea is made for a nuclear freeze and for reducing conventional forces as well. (PP)

Topics concerned with the experiments and problems of self-rule in Third World societies are presented in nine essays. The essays are: (1) "Democracy in Iran: The Untenable Dream" (John D. Stempel); (2) "Afghanistan's Struggle for National Liberation" (Hafizullah Emadi); (3) "Turkey's Experience with Political…

Relationships between mass-media coverage of international affairs and university-based expertise in international, language, and area studies are investigated. The report is presented in three major sections. Section I poses issues for debate: How important is media in informing the American public about world affairs? Does it really matter if…

In order to provide a basis for improving United States policies toward Latin America in the 1980s, the document examines past U.S. policy and relations, evaluates recent U.S. approaches, and offers a reassessment of current U.S. interests in Latin America. The book is divided into five chapters. Chapter I discusses social, economic, and political…

Facts and controversial issues concerning SALT II (Strategic Arms Limitations Talks) are examined. The intent of the document is to enable non-specialists in military/strategic matters to arrive at their own conclusions. Central questions explored are: Is it possible to arrive at an agreement that will stabilize strategic arms competition and…

The 1990 Great Decisions program, part of an annual series on foreign policy issues, is intended to create better better public understanding through information and analyses of important international issues. Current information is presented so that participants may be stimulated toward discussion, form opinions and contribute to the policy…