INF Treaty – Part 2: Inside the high-stakes drama of Cold War diplomacy

A handshake across a table in Geneva carried more weight than any missile. Here, in the glare of the world's attention, trust had to be built, inch by inch, between sworn enemies. Every word, every gesture, could tip the balance between progress and disaster. The fate of millions rested on the skills of a handful of negotiators.The stage was set in Geneva, Switzerland. Two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, brought their best diplomats—and their deepest suspicions. Years of mutual hostility had left scars. The Americans, led by Secretary of State George Shultz, pushed the 'zero option'—eliminate all missiles, or nothing. The Soviets, under Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze and General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, countered with caution, fearing a loss of strategic balance. But Gorbachev’s reforms—glasnost and perestroika—gave the talks a new atmosphere. For both sides, the political stakes were enormous. In Washington, President Reagan faced critics at home and among NATO allies, worried that disarmament might weaken Europe’s security. In Moscow, Gorbachev battled hardliners who saw any concession as surrender. Still, both leaders recognized the alternative: a Europe forever under nuclear threat. The negotiations moved in fits and starts. Each proposal met with suspicion. Each concession risked political fallout. Yet, through marathon sessions and tense standoffs, a fragile trust began to grow.Learn more at: https://thetreatyarchive.com/treaty/inf-treatyThe Treaty Archive is part of The Archive Network by Jonkai Ventures, dedicated to exploring the history of global peace treaties and diplomatic agreements that shaped the modern world.Support the podcast and access exclusive content on Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheArchiveNetworkDiscover more at: https://thetreatyarchive.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.