Reagan's Diplomatic Approach to Ending the Cold War Contrasts with Trump's Handling of Iran Conflict

The handling of the conflict with Iran by President Donald Trump has been marked by chaos and a lack of clear strategy, with the administration's goals and objectives appearing to shift frequently. In contrast, President Ronald Reagan's diplomatic approach to ending the Cold War is highlighted in a new movie, "The Brink of War," which illustrates how Reagan conferred with State Department experts before each meeting with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Reagan's approach to diplomacy was a far cry from the transactional approach taken by Trump, who has never sought authorization for the war with Iran from Congress. The administration's statements on the goals of the war have been contradictory, with some suggesting that the objective is to topple the governing regime, while others have stated that the goal is to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

In contrast, Reagan's diplomatic efforts with Gorbachev were marked by a willingness to engage in multilateral negotiations and to listen to the concerns of the Soviet leader. Reagan's team, including Secretary of State George Shultz, worked to maintain channels of communication with Soviet officials, even as tensions between Washington and Moscow escalated.

The groundwork laid by Shultz and his team began to pay off in 1985, when Gorbachev emerged as a new figure in Soviet leadership. Gorbachev's program of reform, which included opening the economy and engaging in arms-control negotiations with the United States, created an opportunity for Reagan and Gorbachev to engage in high-level summits.

The three summits between Reagan and Gorbachev - in Geneva in 1985, Reykjavik in 1986, and Washington in 1987 - were a key part of the diplomatic efforts to end the Cold War. Despite strong opposition from many conservatives, who believed that Gorbachev was merely a Kremlin trap set to lure Reagan into a dangerous agreement, Reagan pursued the negotiations with Gorbachev.

The outcome of these summits was a major arms-control agreement with the Soviet Union, which marked a significant breakthrough in the Cold War. This achievement stands in stark contrast to the current situation with Iran, where the administration's goals and objectives appear to be shifting frequently, and where there is a lack of clear strategy.

## A Diplomatic Approach to Conflict Resolution

Reagan's diplomatic approach to ending the Cold War is a model for how conflicts can be resolved through negotiation and diplomacy. In contrast, Trump's handling of the conflict with Iran has been marked by a lack of clear strategy and a willingness to engage in military action without seeking authorization from Congress.

## The Importance of Multilateral Diplomacy

Reagan's willingness to engage in multilateral negotiations and to listen to the concerns of the Soviet leader was a key part of his diplomatic approach. This approach is in contrast to the transactional approach taken by Trump, who has been willing to engage in military action without seeking authorization from Congress.

## The Legacy of Reagan's Diplomatic Efforts

The legacy of Reagan's diplomatic efforts to end the Cold War is a significant achievement that marked a major breakthrough in the conflict. This achievement stands in stark contrast to the current situation with Iran, where the administration's goals and objectives appear to be shifting frequently, and where there is a lack of clear strategy.

| Summit | Location | Year | | --- | --- | --- | | 1st Summit | Geneva | 1985 | | 2nd Summit | Reykjavik | 1986 | | 3rd Summit | Washington | 1987 |