détente

Détente is a policy and broad process aimed at easing geopolitical tensions, particularly between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The term, deriving from French for “relaxation,” describes a shift from outright confrontation to managed diplomacy, with emphasis on negotiation, arms control, and exchanges in trade, culture, and science rather than military escalation.

The concept emerged in the late 1960s as both sides faced the costs of the arms race and ongoing proxy conflicts. Proponents argued that sustained dialogue could reduce the risk of miscalculation and war while allowing superficial ideological competition to continue in a more predictable framework. The period is often associated with a strategy of realpolitik and incremental negotiation.

Key elements of détente included strategic arms control efforts, most notably the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I) and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM Treaty) signed in 1972, which sought to curb nuclear arms competition. The broader approach also encompassed improved diplomatic channels, greater transparency, and confidence-building measures. The year 1972 also saw moves toward a broader realignment of relations with China, viewed as part of a wider attempt to reduce global tensions. In Europe, the Helsinki Accords of 1975 brought together Western and Eastern bloc states to endorse borders and human rights principles, serving as a framework for ongoing dialogue.

Détente gradually waned after the late 1970s, particularly following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, which strained cooperation and contributed to a renewed emphasis on military preparedness in the 1980s. The term remains used to describe attempts to reduce tensions through negotiation and mutual restraint rather than force.