The Diplomacy of Dtente

This book investigates the underlying reasons for the longevity of dtente and its impact on EastWest relations. The volume examines the relevance of trade across the Iron Curtain as a means to facilitate mutual trust, as well as the emergence of new habits of transparency regardless of recurring military crises. A major theme of the book concerns Helmut Schmidts foreign policy and his contribution to the resilience of cooperative security policies in EastWest relations. It examines Schmidts crucial role in the Euromissile crisis, his Ostpolitik diplomacy and his pan-European trade initiatives to engage the Soviet Union in a joint perspective of trade, industry and technology. Another key theme concerns the crisis in USSoviet relations and the challenges of meaningful leadership communication between Washington and Moscow in the absence of backchannel diplomacy during the Carter years. The book depicts the freeze in USSoviet relations after the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan, the declaration of martial law in Poland, and Helmut Schmidts efforts to serve as a mediator and interpreter working for a relaunch of USSoviet dialogue. Eventually, the book highlights George Shultzs pivotal role in the Reagan Administrations efforts to improve US-Soviet relations, well before Mikhail Gorbachevs arrival. This book will be of interest to students of Cold War studies, diplomatic history, foreign policy and international relations.