According to recently uncovered secret documents, it was Carter–not Reagan–who was perceived by Warsaw Pact military leaders as the president who modernised the U.S. military so that it became clearly superiour to theirs. Pretty interesting, considering the reputation Carter has in this country, even beyond the usual suspects (right wing hawks).
[T]he often disputed East-West military balance [was] seen from the Soviet bloc side as much more favorable to the West than the West itself saw it, with the technological edge increasingly in Western favor since the time of the Carter administration
Of course, it may not have been an entirely laudable achievement on Carter’s part, as it also apparently set us further toward the brink of nuclear war! But it is nevertheless somehow refreshing to learn that the Democratic president who has so often been caricatured as a soft-hearted patsy (and even in his later image rehabilitation, has been associated with a kind of naive pacifism) was actually striking fear into the hearts of the Warsaw Pact’s top military strategists.
It is often forgotten that Carter served on a nuclear submarine during his time in the Navy. Consider the meaning of that for a moment: he was trained and prepared to assist in the launching of nuclear missles — aimed at the U.S.S.R. I am sure that any logical person would consider him more of a serious threat than a has-been Hollywood actor.
But, there I go again, judging by substance rather than superficial style…
But, while I’m at it, let’s also point out that Carter was and is more of a true Christian than Reagan or either Bushie could ever be.
Thanks, Slacker, for this very interesting insight.
Just goes to show that in international conflict / negotiation, you cannot necessarily predict reactions & outcomes because you don’t really know how the other side perceives your own actions, and what influences are bearing on them.