Moscow's Gorbachev: A New Leader in the Old Mold

Publication Date: August 1985

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): Mikhail Tsypkin

Research Area:

Keywords: Russia and Eurasia

Type: Report

Coverage: Soviet Union

Abstract:

Far from being a new model Soviet leader, Gorbachev comes out of an old mold. Far from being a reformer, he relies on traditional Soviet policies. There is no visible change in the Soviet regime's repressiveness, inefficiency, militarism, or aggressiveness. Consequently, there is no need to overhaul the American policy of the past four and a half years, which has stemmed the tide of Soviet expansion, has reduced the Soviet capacity for military blackmail against the democracies, and has the potential of making the Soviets negotiate arms reductions in earnest.