23 mei

The New York Times Monday 23 May (C)

The ‘Riga/Yalta’ Knot - Daniel Yergin

The article discusses the current debate over American foreign policy towards the Soviet Union, focusing on two competing sets of axioms: the Riga and Yalta axioms. The Riga axioms view the Soviet Union as a monolithic, world-revolutionary state, geared towards expansion and preponderance, while the Yalta axioms posit the Soviet Union as a more conventional imperial power, concerned with protecting what it has and with much to gain from stability. The article argues that while the Riga axioms appear to offer more security, they ignore problems on the common agenda, exaggerate Soviet capabilities, and overlook the problems faced by Soviet leaders. The article concludes that there is no general consensus in the United States about how to proceed with relations with the Soviet Union and that progress on arms control, trade, and human rights is more likely with a party of "realistic détente."