Reforms in the USSR: Implications for U.S. Policy
分析了戈尔巴乔夫改革对苏联政治经济的影响，认为美国应调整对苏政策，采取更积极的态度，因为苏联的变化可能使冷战对抗不再不可调和。
The U.S. policies toward the USSR in the postwar period have been less friendly than those of our NATO allies. These policies have been, however, a largely understandable reaction to the miliary posture and undemocratic domestic policies of the USSR and to the nature of its economic system. But the situation is changing rapidly. The Gorbachev Reform is already a minor social, political, and economic revolution, and may well turn into a major one. These circumstances require a reassessment of our policies toward the Soviet Union. Some reassessment has already taken place as indicated by our signing the INF Treaty. Nevertheless, the overall tone of our administration is dominated by attitudes of skepticism and show me when hardly a week goes by that the Soviets do not show by saying or doing something that two or three years ago was unthinkable. I think it is important for us to adopt a more positive approach toward the Soviet reform. Our major foreign policy goal over the past forty years has been containment of the Soviet Union. This goal has been enormously expensive to implement, and pursuing it bears much of the responsibility for the difficult economic problems this nation faces today. The relentless pursuit of this goal has been based on the assumption that, while uneasy truces between the two camps might be worked out from time to time, the differences between us are irreconcilable over the long run. Now, for the first time in Soviet history, this assumption may no longer be valid. There is little doubt that Gorbachev genuinely wants to eliminate many of those aspects of the Soviet system that we consider objectionable and to end the cold war. His task will be difficult and good relations with the West would simplify it. Gorbachev's policies are in our interest. The opportunity should not be missed-it may not come again for decades.