This book discusses the relationship between Ronald Reagan's political and strategic policies and the policies of the cold war presidencies. Beginning with a review of these presidencies, the author attempts to discover the purposes, applications, and problems of containment. The author contends that containment is both a set of values and goals as well as a set of tactics for achieving foreign policy goals, and that Reagan's views of the Soviet Union and his criticism of detente reflect views similar to many of the cold war presidents. This study includes a review of containment successes and failures since World War II; the evolution in American weapons systems, arms control efforts, and nuclear strategies; and the extent to which Star Wars and notions of deterrence based on defense contribute to or undermine American security. Chapter headings include: From Containment to Detente; Containment Revisited: Reagan's Approach to Soviet-American Relations; Weapons and Words; Salt, Start, and Stops: The Evolution of Arms Control; Evolution of Nuclear Strategy: Do We Want to be Mad?; Star Wars or What to do if the Empire Strikes First; and From Cold Wars to Star Wars to No Wars.
