The Deterrence Deadlock: Is There a Way out?

Recent research into the origins of brinkmanship crisis raises serious questions about the utility of deterrence; it indicates that deterrence fails to address what may be the most common cause of aggression, the perceived need to pursue a confrontatory foreign policy because of weakness at home or abroad. A policy of is proposed to address this problem and is offered as an alternative or parallel strategy of conflict management. Some of the implications of reassurance for Soviet-American relations are explored.