Research for National Security Policies

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Soviet Defense Policy Under Gorbachev: The Growing Civilian Influence
September 1, 1990
National security decision-making in the Soviet Union has changed radically under Gorbachev. A key aspect of this change is the emergence of the institutchiki, or civilian academicians from the Soviet Academy of Sciences, as influential experts on defense issues. Previously these civilians had scant impact on the defense decision-making process, which was dominated by the General Staff and professional military cadre. Three developments point in this direction: the increased representation of the civilian experts in state and Party institutions dealing with foreign and security policy; the special role these civilians seem to be playing in developing and promoting Gorbachev's 'new thinking' in foreign and security policy; and, recent decisions that mark a sharp departure from earlier policies and reflect proposals originating with or developed by the institutchiki. This paper documents these trends, chiefly on the basis of articles that have appeared in the Soviet press. It also describes the resistance of the military to some of the new thinking and resultant proposals. The main actors in this unfolding drama include the top military leaders, principally the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff, and the most visible of the institutchiki: those employed by the Institute of the USA and Canada (IUSAC) and the Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO).
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Weapons Proliferation and U.S. National Security
July 1, 1990
Most examinations of proliferation issues concern controlling the spread of weaponry; this report goes further to delve into the potential military responses to proliferation. The objectives of this report are to raise awareness of this evolving problem, examine trends in proliferation to give a broad overview of this issue, frame the issues in a manner conducive to thoughtful analysis, consider scenarios for involvement by the U.S., and suggest several possible U.S. responses.
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Downgrading the Military in Soviet Foreign Policy
April 1, 1989
A series of recent events indicates that the correlation of domestic forces has been turning against the Soviet military. This has been reflected in an unprecedented, wide-scale press assault on the Soviet military. Linked with the criticism are signs that the economic aspects of national security are being pushed to the forefront.
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Strategic ASW and the Conventional Defense of Europe
April 1, 1987
The leadership of the U.S. Navy has recommended that the United States seriously consider the option of attacking Soviet ballistic missile submarines during the conventional phase of a major war. While the vocal debate rages on in the United States, the allies of the U.S. in Europe and elsewhere have been publically silent. This paper addresses some of the questions which might be at the center of the debate. Its purpose is not to seek conclusive answers, but to clarify--for example to point out that the U.S. has no interest in attacking Soviet missile-carrying submarines except on behalf of the security and integrity of the Alliance.
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Soviet Perspectives on British Security Policy: A Reader
October 1, 1986
This reader supplements other CNA papers about the future directions in the Western Alliance, by presenting the Soviet perspective on developments in Britain. Particular attention is given to recent Soviet writings on the United Kingdom, especially: its security aspirations, policies and debates, its roles in international affairs and arms control; its military forces; and its domestic politics.
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France and European Security
April 1, 1986
In the 1960s, French defense policy emphasized the protection of French territory rather than the collective security of France and her European allies. This began to change in the late 1970s. The French contribution to European security is now a matter of considerable debate within France. This memorandum examines the issues and the options that are involved.
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Soviet Perspectives on French Security Policy: A Reader
April 1, 1986
While much attention is paid in the United States to Soviet perspectives on U.S. security policy, less is known about contemporary Soviet thinking about European security issues. This memorandum is a collection of original translations of the more authoritative Soviet journals, newspapers and monographs. The selections provide an overview of how the Soviets have analyzed European security issues, with special emphasis on the French role in European security.
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Perspectives on Defense Futures: National Developments in Europe
April 1, 1986
The Center for Naval Analyses has been examining current issues and future prospects in the Western Alliance since June 1984. The aim is to better inform U.S. Navy policy initiatives and long-range planning for the European theater, by helping to define the planning environments, opportunities, and limitations the Navy may have to face in the decade ahead. While affairs of Alliance are of prominent interest, the examination has not been confined to NATO per se. On the theory that politics among nations begin with politics and related developments within nations, the study has also considered influences on, and frames of reference for, the evolution of national defense policies in individual Alliance member countries. This research memorandum, part of a series of CNA papers on future directions of the Western Alliance, is concerned with these national policies. This particular report looks at six European allies in terms of their own defense aspirations, domestic constraints, and policy choices in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The focus is on those key factors most likely to influence the security priorities and postures of each of the six. The six are France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Greece, and Spain.
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Dragon at Sea: China's Navy in Strategy and Diplomacy
December 1, 1985
The prospects for Sino-U.S. naval relations from a strategic perspective are examined. The status of China's navy as a fighting force and efforts to modernize that force are reviewed. The paper also looks at China's navy in regional security issues affecting Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and the Indian Ocean. Finally, in discussing Sino-U.S. naval relations specifically, the paper concludes that some cooperation between the U.S. and Chinese navies seems to be in the interest of 'peace and stability' in the Pacific. Whether the U.S. and China can surmount their differences to achieve some limited military (including naval) relationship remains an open question.
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The New Strategic Outlook in the Pacific
October 1, 1985
The strategic outlook in the Pacific is discussed in this research memorandum. In doing so, it looks at the Asia-Pacific region in historical perspective, examines the area's role in deterrence and a global conflict, and touches on current problems in the region.
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