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Soviet Union [USSR] Influence on Foreign Policy
The KGB participated in the foreign policy decision-making
process at the highest level because its chief was a member of the
Politburo. At the same time, it influenced the formulation of
foreign policy at a lower level as an executor of that policy, a
provider of information, and a generator of ideas, solutions, and
alternatives. Thus, for example, when the Kremlin decided to invade
Czechoslovakia in 1968, KGB chief Andropov, who was an expert on
Eastern Europe and had a direct line of intelligence from
Czechoslovakia, presumably influenced the decision-making process
significantly. Furthermore, the KGB, as the main provider of
intelligence to the leadership, was in a position to influence
decision making by screening and interpreting the information. The
KGB probably favored the invasion because of the threat posed by a
possible spillover of unrest into the Soviet Union. Also, efforts
by Czechoslovak reformers to reorganize their security police
jeopardized KGB operations in Czechoslovakia. Considerable evidence
showed that the KGB, in order to bolster the prointerventionist
position, used intelligence and covert action to produce proof of
counterrevolution in Czechoslovakia.
Andropov did not always favor military intervention as a
solution to international problems, however. Other considerations,
such as the Soviet Union's international image, no doubt affected
his views on the 1979 invasion of Afghanistan (which he reportedly
did not favor) and the 1980-81 Polish crisis (where he probably was
among those who opposed an invasion). Both these crises occurred at
a time when the KGB was trying to mobilize West European public
opinion against plans by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) to introduce intermediate-range missiles in Europe.
Chebrikov did not have Andropov's foreign policy expertise when
he took over as head of the KGB in 1982, but his admission to the
Politburo gave him a voice in foreign policy at the highest level.
In addition, many Western experts believe that the KGB chairman
served on the Defense Council, an important collegial decisionmaking body that provided top-level coordination for defenserelated activities of the Soviet government
(see Soviet Union USSR - Defense Council
, ch. 18). Chebrikov's numerous trips to Eastern Europe after he
became head of the KGB indicated that he was personally involved in
KGB operations beyond Soviet borders, and his forceful advocacy of
Soviet "counterpropaganda" efforts abroad implied a commitment to
a strong foreign policy role for the KGB. Kriuchkov, who became
head of the KGB in 1988, had been extensively involved in foreign
operations as the chief of the First Chief Directorate of the KGB.
Data as of May 1989
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