Skip to content

Results:

1 - 10 of 434

Documents

July 20, 1997

Memo from Ronald Asmus to Strobe Talbott, 'Hanseatic Strategy'

This July 1997 memo outlines a proposed "Hanseatic Strategy" to support future NATO membership for the Baltic states. Acknowledging political resistance within the US and NATO, concerns over defensibility, and Russian opposition, the memo proposes a three-part strategy.

October 29, 1996

Cable, Secretary of State to US Embassy Vilnius, 'Acting Secretary and Lithuanian Fonmin on NATO Enlargement'

On October 8, 1996, Acting Secretary of State Strobe Talbott met with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Povilas Gylys to discuss NATO enlargement. Gylys warned that excluding Lithuania from early rounds of accession would damage its security and risk public perception of Western disengagement, while expressing concern over Kaliningrad’s future role. Talbott reassured Gylys of the US commitment to Baltic inclusion, emphasized that NATO’s door remains open, and framed the Baltic Action Plan as a complementary—not compensatory—measure to support accession and regional stability.

December 11, 1961

Comments of N. S. Khrushchev

Khrushchev reflects on the German question, emphasizing the realities of East and West Germany and the broader Cold War tensions surrounding their division. He discusses the Berlin Crisis, NATO’s role in maintaining geopolitical pressure, and the economic and political benefits of normalizing relations between the USSR and West Germany.

February 14, 1961

Record of Conversation between N.S. Khrushchev and the Turkish Ambassador Fahri Korutürk

Khrushchev shares details of recent Soviet economic achievements and discusses the possibility of a joint Soviet-Turkish dam project on the Aras River, which the Turkish ambassador, Fahri Korutürk, agrees to consider. Khrushchev expresses interest in improving bilateral relations, referencing historical cooperation, while briefly noting Turkey’s ties to NATO—a topic the ambassador chooses not to pursue.

October 2, 1960

Transcript of the Conversation between N.S. Khrushchev and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, S. Sarper

On October 2, 1960, Nikita Khrushchev met with Turkish Foreign Minister Selim Sarper in New York to discuss bilateral relations, disarmament, and the global political climate. Sarper conveyed greetings from General Gürsel and emphasized Turkey’s desire for good-neighborly relations based on realism and stability. Khrushchev criticized the presence of foreign military bases in Turkey, arguing they pose risks to Turkey without enhancing security, and suggested a neutral, cooperative stance for Turkey in the Black Sea region. Both leaders discussed challenges in improving Soviet-American relations and the broader Cold War context, including the recent U-2 incident. Sarper acknowledged Turkey’s economic difficulties and expressed optimism about gradual improvements in Soviet-Turkish relations. The conversation concluded with mutual agreement on the importance of diplomatic patience and fostering personal connections between leaders to achieve peace and stability.

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.

February 21, 2023

Interview with Ray Acheson

Ray Acheson reflects on their career in nuclear disarmament, emphasizing the destabilizing role of nuclear weapons and their harmful physical, political, and environmental impacts. They critique the failure of governments, academics, and think tanks to fully embrace nuclear abolition, highlighting instead a focus on incremental reforms that sustain the nuclear establishment. Acheson outlines the unique contributions of Reaching Critical Will, including feminist advocacy, transparency in UN disarmament processes, and impactful treaty work, such as with the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). They express cautious optimism about a nuclear-free future, advocating for dismantling militarized security systems while recognizing ongoing challenges like the war in Ukraine. The transcript was lightly edited to ease understanding without any changes in the meaning. Clarifications inserted post-interview have been marked with squared brackets [].

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.

December 8, 2022

Interview with Harald Müller

Harald Müller recounts his lifelong interest in nuclear issues, stemming from the Cuban Missile Crisis, and his extensive career at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF). He emphasizes the dual role of nuclear weapons as both a deterrent, especially against threats like Russia's current aggression, and a danger due to the possibility of catastrophic misuse. Müller suggests a multi-faceted approach to nuclear disarmament, advocating for academic input, practical policy steps, and international cooperation, while recognizing that genuine disarmament requires alignment among global powers, including autocratic states. Despite recent geopolitical setbacks, he remains cautiously hopeful for future nuclear arms control, though he stresses the importance of conventional deterrents in a potential nuclear-free world.

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.

November 27, 1998

Memorandum to General Ralston, VCJCS, from Strobe Talbott

Talbott writes to General Ralston on a policy of "no-first-use" of nuclear weapons being promoted by NATO allies, the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI), and India and Pakistan. He summarizes his recent communications with Jaswant Singh.

October 22, 1997

The Chancellor's [Helmut Kohl's] Conversation with Portuguese Prime Minister Guterres on 17 October 1997, 10 a.m. - 11.15 a.m.

Kohl and Guterres look into Portugal's EC presidency and the question of EC enlargement. They agree to start formal negotiations on enlargement in early 1998 as planned. Guterres stresses that Portugal would be a major victim of enlargement as it would lose out in all areas.

May 12, 1997

The Chancellor's [Helmut Kohl's] Conversation with Kazakhstan's President Nazarbayev on Saturday, 10 May 1997, 2.30 p.m. - 3.45 p.m. in Almaty

Kohl and Nazarbaev dissus a variety of issues including Russia, China, NATO enlargement and the domestic situation in Iran against the backdrop of the end of Rafsandjani's tenure in 1997. Kohl reiterates his willingness to engage Iran. At the same time, he stresses the need for Iran to move first in order to show goodwill.

Pagination