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Pyongyang photographed in March 20212

East Asia

North Korea

Demise of Detente in Korea, 1973-1975

Gyeongbokgung

East Asia

South Korea

Press Briefing by Permanent Observer of Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the UN, 7 July 1976.

Inter-Korean Relations

Aerial view of National Mall

North America

United States

Soviet soldier taking a photograph of another soldier in Red Square, Moscow, 1959

Eastern Europe

Soviet Union

Portrait of Mao Zedong on Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, China, 1972.

East Asia

China

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Korea at the United Nations

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Eastern Europe

Yugoslavia

Kim Il Sung, 1978

Kim, Il Sung

1912 - 1994

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Kim Il Sung-Tito Correspondences, 1973-1979

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Popa, Dumitru

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Lazar, Aurelian

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Trade agreement between European Economic Community and China

China-Europe Relations

Leonid Brezhnev, 1974.

Brezhnev, Leonid Il'ich

1906 - 1982

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Narasimhan, C. V. (Chakravarthi V.)

1915 -

Non-Aligned Movement

Official portrait for President Jimmy Carter, 1978.

Carter, Jimmy

1924 -

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November 23, 1979	From the Journal of A.F. Dobrynin, 'Record of a Conversation with Z Former US Secretary of State Kissinger, 23 November 1979’ In this November 1979 conversation, Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin confronted former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger over his increasingly anti-Soviet rhetoric and alignment with Republican hardliners, which Dobrynin criticized as opportunistic and damaging to détente. Kissinger defended his shift as a tactical response to domestic political pressures and his ambitions to return to government, while still insisting he valued stable Soviet-American relations. The discussion also touched on US fears of instability in Saudi Arabia, the strategic implications of Soviet and Cuban involvement in Africa, and Kissinger's belief in the need for a tacit division of global influence between the superpowers.
January 15, 1975	From the Journal of A.F. Dobrynin, 'Record of a Conversation with Vice President of the United States N. Rockefeller and Secretary of State H. Kissinger, 15 January 1975’ In this January 1975 conversation, Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin met with US Vice President Nelson Rockefeller and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to discuss the state of US-Soviet relations, focusing on discriminatory trade legislation, strategic arms negotiations, and the upcoming Brezhnev visit. Kissinger and Rockefeller expressed shared concerns over congressional interference in foreign policy and emphasized their commitment to preserving détente, while privately assuring Dobrynin that recent US threats of military intervention in the Middle East were strategic posturing to prevent another oil embargo. The meeting also highlighted US plans for long-term energy independence and efforts to sustain diplomatic momentum despite mounting domestic political challenges.
March 9, 1982	Record of a Conversation between Cde. L. I. Brezhnev and M. Koivisto, President of Finland In a meeting between Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and Finnish President Mauno Koivisto on March 9, 1982, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the 1948 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Aid, emphasizing the strong and stable relations between their countries. They discussed economic cooperation, trade balance adjustments, and the importance of maintaining détente amid growing tensions between the US and the Soviet Union. Additionally, they exchanged views on international security, arms control, and the Madrid Conference, expressing mutual interest in continuing diplomatic collaboration and extending the treaty’s duration.
May 14, 1956	Despatch No. 653 from American Embassy Taipei to the Department of State, 'Detention of Deputy Speaker Lin' Reports on the detention of Lin Ting-li (spelled here as Lin Tin-lip), Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Assembly, for alleged illegal flour sales and suspected political activities. The despatch highlights Lin's past roles in intelligence, his business dealings, and political ties with figures like Chiang Ching-kuo, Chen Cheng, and K.C. Wu. The detention was reportedly authorized by President Chiang Kai-shek, following accusations by Vice President Chen Cheng of Lin's efforts to undermine Kuomintang influence among Taiwanese. Lin was described as politically influential but indulgent and self-serving. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
May 15, 1960	Transcript of the Conversation between N.S. Khrushchev and the President of the French Republic, Charles de Gaulle, regarding incidents with American Aircraft and the Participation of the USSR in the Summit On May 15, 1960, Nikita Khrushchev met with French President Charles de Gaulle in Paris to discuss the fallout from recent incidents involving US reconnaissance aircraft violating Soviet airspace. Khrushchev emphasized the Soviet Union’s outrage over these acts, labeling them as aggression and a threat to sovereignty. He called for the US to acknowledge its violations, condemn the actions, hold those responsible accountable, and commit to ceasing such provocations. De Gaulle expressed regret over the incidents but maintained that espionage was an inevitable reality of modern geopolitics. He assured Khrushchev that he would convey the Soviet statement to US President Dwight Eisenhower but noted that France had not participated in planning the reconnaissance missions. The discussion also touched on broader themes of disarmament and international cooperation, with Khrushchev reiterating the USSR’s readiness to engage in the summit only if the US changed its course. De Gaulle stressed the necessity of dialogue to prevent future incidents and achieve détente. Both leaders reaffirmed their nations' desire for peace but left the resolution of the immediate crisis contingent on US actions. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
October 13, 1973	From the Journal of A.F. Dobrynin, 'Record of a Conversation with US President R. Nixon, 13 October 1973' Nixon informs Dobrynin of his commitment to detente with the Soviet Union.
July 12, 1947	Letter, Foreign Minister Tatatescu to Counselor Melbourne, ad interim Political Representative of the United States in Romania Letter signed by Minister Tatarescu on July 12 in response to Roy M. Melbourne, the US Representative of Legation, who sent to the Romanian Government a Note of Protest on 24 June, 1947, regarding deprivation of civil liberties, arbitrary arrests and detention of hundreds of opposition parties.
July 15, 1968	Letter, Minister Willy Brandt to Chancellor Kurt G. Kiesinger After 1 July 1968, when the NPT had been opened for signature, Brandt brought up the accession question in a letter to the Chancellor, arguing that the “credibility of our détente policy” depended on Germany’s stance toward the NPT, which in his review it should sign by “early autumn." Brandt’s letter mirrored arguments made previously by Georg-F. Duckwitz, who was State Secretary in the Foreign Office.
October 9, 2020	Interview with Michael Yaffe Michael Yaffe is a former US diplomat. He served as a member of the US delegation to ACRS.
October 20, 2020	Interview with Bruce Jentleson Bruce Jentleson is a former US Department of State official. He served as a member of the US delegation to ACRS.