Debate and Diplomacy

     The Washington Summit included many debates, arms control being one of the most crucial points. The arms control debate led to a diplomatic agreement in the form of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces, (INF), treaty. Though the arms control debate was important, it was not the only debate. There were many more, including Human Rights debates, emigration, and various regional issues. 

               Gorbachev and Reagan signing the INF Treaty

                      Soviet troops leaving Afghanistan

     Another promising debate was the Afghan discussions, in which President Reagan and Gorbachev discussed the withdrawal of Soviet troops out of Afghanistan. Gorbachev agreed to pull his troops out of Afghanistan, but only when the US stopped supporting the Mujahideen, Islamic guerilla fighters. Both the US and the Soviet Union expressed different views on the Afghan discussions, and a US official declared the discussions "somewhat disappointing.¨ Later, Gorbachev confirmed in a news conference that he was planning to withdraw Soviet forces from Afghanistan within a year.