The Soviet Union and ballistic missile defense /

A first-rate study of the Soviet approach to the issue of ballistic missile defense (BMD). The author, a specialist in the complex politics of Soviet technological development, focuses on military technology. In this little book, he summarizes the current literature on Soviet BMD policy, reviews the evolution of that policy in Soviet strategy, and traces the present controversy it has caused within Soviet leadership circles, especially in the face of US proposals to develop its Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). Its relevance to the SDI issue makes this book timely and necessary; although somewhat specialized, it is nonetheless clearly written, cogently argued, and certainly understandable to those who have followed the issue. In fewer than 100 pages, Parrott provides both the requisite background and a persuasive case for the seriousness of BMD in general and SDI in particular for the USSR, arguing that the Soviet leadership perceives a relatively narrow window of opportunity within which to resolve the issue through arms control negotiations. No other work addresses the Soviet view of this issue so directly, although Michael MccGwire's Military Objectives in Soviet Foreign Policy (CH, Sep '87) provides a more general and contrasting perspective. Excellent and comprehensive notes. Academic and general readers.-B.T. Trout, University of New Hampshire