US-Soviet Relations-Non-Reciprocity in Big Power Agreements

One of the major consequences of the 'new era' of US-Soviet relations has been to create in Washington a feeling that it can act with impunity against the third world, disregarding the possibility of a Soviet response THE most striking aspect of US-Soviet relations in the 1980s is the one-sided concessions ceded by the Soviets and the lack of reciprocity from Washington. The Gorbachev period has been characterised by withdrawal of Soviet influence from major regions of world politics, cooperation with the US in reasserting the latter's influence in conflictual regions and pressure on allies to accommodate US interests, even where the consequences will result in changes inimicable to long-term Soviet security interests. The consequence has been a novel historical moment in two senses: the US