West European comments on Soviet posture as presented in Khrushchev*s speech of January 14, 1960

Ewald W. Schnitzer

ResearchPublished 1960

A review of West European press reactions to the speech of Premier Khrushchev on military affairs, delivered to the Supreme Soviet January 14, 1960. The study indicates defense attitudes, trends in military and political thinking, and public morale in Western Europe. The reactions from West and East Germany, Switzerland, Britain, and France are discussed in connection with military aspects (the announced troop cut shows a Soviet position of strength), Soviet foreign policy (a change of policy leading to international relaxation is not evidenced), and Soviet domestic conditions (the troop reduction arises from an economic necessity that will help ease the strains imposed by the Seven-Year Plan). There is some speculation to the effect that certain emphases in Khrushchev's speech betray an internal conflict between the Soviet Premier and a conservative military group.

Document Details

Citation

Chicago Manual of Style

Schnitzer, Ewald W., West European comments on Soviet posture as presented in Khrushchev*s speech of January 14, 1960. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1960. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_memoranda/RM2557.html.
BibTeX RIS

This publication is part of the RAND research memorandum series. The research memorandum series, a product of RAND from 1948 to 1973, included working papers meant to report current results of RAND research to appropriate audiences.

This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.

RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.