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Harold Brown : offsetting the Soviet military challenge 1977-1981 / Edward C. Keefer

Catalog Data

Author:
Keefer, Edward C (Edward Coltrin) 1945-  Search this
Issuing body:
United States Department of Defense Historical Office  Search this
Subject:
Brown, Harold 1927-  Search this
United States Department of Defense Officials and employees  Search this
United States Department of Defense History  Search this
Physical description:
xix, 815 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm
Type:
Biography
History
Place:
United States
Soviet Union
Date:
2017
20th century
1977-1981
Notes:
Shipping list no.: 2017-0037-S.
Contents:
The Carter administration takes charge -- The FY 1978 defense budget and the B-1 bomber decision -- Latin America -- Reorganization and the reassessment of the Department of Defense -- Defining National Security Policy -- SALT II and the MX missile decision -- Arms control and global issue -- The FY 1979 budget and the future of the Navy -- The Middle East peace process -- Iran and the hostage crisis -- Southwest Asia and the framework for Persian Gulf security -- The FY 1980 budget and the conversion of Harold Brown -- Readjustment in East Asia -- NATO conventional forces -- NATO and the theater nuclear forces -- Conflict and confrontation in Africa -- The all-volunteer force and the legacy of Vietnam -- Making the case: defense budgets for fiscal years 1981 and 1982 -- A revolution in military warfare: the offset strategy -- The 1980 election and transition -- In retrospect
Summary:
"Secretary of Defense Harold Brown worked to counter the Soviet Union's growing military strength during the administration of President Jimmy Carter. The Soviet Union of the Carter years came closest to matching the United States in strategic power than at any other point in the Cold War. By most reckonings, the Kremlin surpassed the West in conventional arms and forces in Central Europe, posing a threat to NATO. In response, Brown--a nuclear physicist--advocated more technologically advanced weapon systems but faced Carter's efforts to reign in the defense budget. Backed by the JCS, the national security adviser, and key members of Congress, Brown persuaded Carter to increase the defense budget for the last two years of his term. The secretary championed the development and production of new weapons such as stealth aircraft, precision-guided bombs, and cruise missiles. These and other initiatives laid a solid foundation for the much-acclaimed Ronald Reagan defense revolution that actually began under Carter. The book also highlights Brown's policymaking efforts and his influence on President Carter as the administration responded to international events such as the Middle East peace process, the Iran revolution and hostage crisis, the rise of militant Islam, negotiations with the Soviets over arms limitations, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the creation of a security framework for the Persian Gulf region. Other topics cover policy toward Latin America and Africa. The book is also a history of the Defense Department, including the continual development of the All-Volunteer Force and the organizational changes that saw improved policy formulation and acquisition decisions."--Provided by publisher.
Topic:
Cabinet officers  Search this
National security--History  Search this
Arms control--History  Search this
World politics  Search this
Military policy  Search this
Politics and government  Search this
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_1089414