Wolfgang Schwanke wrote:
"Gig 601XL Builder" wrDOTgiaconaATsuddenlink.net wrote in
:

The situation was symmetrical, i.e. from their POV the
Warsaw Pact thought they were "protecting" themselves from an
imminent attack by NATO.

Really, you think so?

See for example "Able Archer" 1983

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Able_Archer_83

It was a NATO military exercise, but the Soviets misinterpreted it as
a camouflaged preparation for a nuclear attack by the west on them!
They would never have had the idea if they'd thought the west was
merely defending itself.

I love revisionist history.

Reality isn't black and white. Both sides were wrestling with each
other for territory worldwide. There were hawks and doves on both
sides, and strategists on both sides thought of themselves as "the
better one". This is not an excuse of communist dictatorships BTW.

Regards


Yes, the Reagan administration did an excellent job of screwing with the
USSR's head. It one of the reasons there is no longer a wall dividing your
country and no longer a USSR.