The Russians aren't coming : new Soviet policy in Latin America

Pointing to the dramatic changes in Soviet policy in Latin America over the past few years, this work demonstrates that the fear of Soviet penetration of region, which drove US policy during the Cold War, has become groundless: Moscow wants normal state-to-state relations with the countries in Latin America, and may want an end to the conflict in Central America even more than Washington does. Cuba does remain a bone of contention, but the authors argue that what is needed most at this point is a softening of US hostility toward the island. The Soviet Union is prepared to reduce its military assistance to Cuba and to contemplate a drastic reduction of its overall presence, but it does not wish to do so while tensions between the US and Cuba remain high. It is time, the authors contentd, for the US to adapt its Cuba policy - and its Latin America policy overall - to the post-Cold War era.