Mysteries of the Cold War

First published in 1999, this edited volume draws together contributors to discuss the end, management, technology and strategy of the Cold War with a focus on the USA and the Soviet Union. Mysteries of the Cold War enhances our view of decision-making by the two nations during the years 1945-1990 by revisiting some of the more important ‘policy puzzles’ or decision-making anomalies of that period. Among the case studies considered by academics and other expert analysts are: the 1961 Berlin crisis at ‘Checkpoint Charlie’; Soviet research and development into post-nuclear advanced technology weapons; US and Soviet maritime strategy; Soviet ‘internationalism’ and its role in Cold War policy; the ‘endgame’ of the Cold War and why it turned out that way. Included among the contributing authors are persons who spent major portions of their careers in the US intelligence community or elsewhere in the government.

Part 1. The Endgame. 1. Where Did All the Money Go? The 1980s US Defence Build-up and the End of the Cold War. Lawrence J. Korb. 2. The Pursuit of Order, Welfare and Legitimacy: Explaining the End of the Soviet Union and the Cold War. Edward A. Kolodziej. 3. The Strange End of the Cold War: Views from the Former Superpower. Peter Rainow. Part 2. Adjusting and Managing Cold War Conflict. 4. The US-Soviet Tank Confrontation at Checkpoint Charlie. Raymond L. Garthoff. 5. Intelligence and Disaster Avoidance: The Soviet War Scare and US-Soviet Relations. Ben B. Fischer. Part 3. Technology and Strategy: The Search for Advantage. 6. How the USA Came to Deploy Nuclear Weapons in Europe. Leon Sloss. 7. High-Tech Adventurism: a Soviet Laser Attack. William T. Lee. Part 4. Strategy and the Cold War. 8. US Maritime Strategy and the Cold War. Mackubin Thomas Owens. 9. Soviet Soldier-Internationalists in Support of Communist Revolutions. Lester W. Grau. 10. Adapting to Uncertainty: Soviet Military Strategy after the Great Patriotic War. Stephen J. Cimbala. 11. Conclusion. Stephen J. Cimbala.