This period of time, even though Reagan’s agression, there were attempts to discuss arms control.

One move in this direction was NATO’s Cruise Pershing deployment 1979– the Allies were worried about the Soviets deployment of SS-20 missiles so they developed a strategy, Dual track decision – 1)Nato was to develop a detterant level of weapons to deter the soviets, place them in Europe and secondly was to propose arms control talks with the Soviets.

Afghanistan occurs soon afterwards – sidelines discussion for a while -Brezhnev hadn’t liked the idea of dual track in Europe – Soviets worried about the ideaq of a first strike – threaten the Soviet Union – in 1980 – sidelined for the moment.

Discussions revived 1983 – Cruise-Pershing to be placed in Europe – Soviets opposed to this – they wanted a reduction of INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) and then they would reduce their SS-20s (The US don’t agree to this)

The next round of talks were over Start and inf - Continued discussions over reducing inf – for ss 20 – walk in the woods deal – not accepted July 1982

Reagan proposes STrategic Arms Reduction Treaty in June 1982 – they don’t start as the US find it difficult to agree on a negotiating position – nothing happens

Inf and Start talks did happen in 1983 – but in the autumn of that year inf situated in Britain and West Germany – The Soviets walk out of the inf talks and the Start talks as well

Operation able archer a number Able Archer 83 was a ten-day NATO command post exercise starting on November 2, 1983 that spanned Western Europe, centred on the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) Headquarters situated at Casteau, north of the Belgian city of Mons. Able Archer exercises simulated a period of conflict escalation, culminating in a coordinated nuclear release – Soviets more and more worried about nuclear war – protests in Western Europe about nuclear build up

Things not looking great between East and West at this time

Let’s now look very briefly at a number of crises which occurred during this period between East and West - Firstly a series of important protests in Poland almost led to the fall of the Polish communist regime and invasion from the Soviet Union. Poland’s economy suffering at the end of the 1970s – massive debt, protests in 1976 against food price rises under Gierek. KOR – formed protect workers – used the Helsinki accords to back up their work – protests at price rises in 1980, strikes spread around the country – End of August 1980 Solidarity under Lech Walesa, first free trade union under Communism. 10 million members, engulfs the whole country. Discussions in Moscow about invading, Wojciech Jaruzelski becomes General Secretary – October 1981, instead of the Soviets invading Jaruzelski announces martial law – December 13 1981, arrest of thousands of Polish activists, Solidarity becomes illegal. Solidarity put down. Criticised by the West.

A second major crises was the KAL 007 incident which saw the Soviets shooting down a Korean airlines flight in September 1983 – 269 people killed – 61 Americans and one congressman – well off course – within Soviet airspace – Soviets thought it was a spyplane. Discussions why it was so off course (spying?) Tense atmosphere. US suspend landing rights for Aeroflot for some weeks. Shortlived act – Soviets unapologetic – no pr skills – no major consequences.

Finally before we close let’s look at the Reagan doctrine and the third world – Doctrine basically stated that the US were prepared to respond to the Soviets support for liberation movements around the world.

This worked in a number of ways: Firstly in Afghanistan, Soviets committed to the fight against the Mujaheddin, fierce war between them and the soviets – Civil war as well – modern and religious – division in the Mujaheddin.

Pakistan provides base for refugees but also arms, training and military advice, Pakistan had been a US ally for most of the Cold War – in 1981 – American grants 3 billion dollars in arms to the Mujaheddin – F-16 aircraft, all through Pakistan.