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The administration of President Richard Nixon wanted to delay the Conference on European Security and the Mutual Balance Force Reductions. This paper explores the reasons behind the administration's apprehension of these two processes, along with the methods it used to postpone them.

A balancing act had to take place due to pressure both internally and externally. The Soviet Union, NATO allies and US politicians all had their own motives, ideas and objectives. The Nixon administration had to use different types of diplomacy to satisfy its aims with each group, without sacrificing the bargaining and military position of the US. The success or failure of the delay tactics would have a large impact on the Cold War and the growing détente process. The paper poses the question: were these tactics a success or failure during the time frame of 1969-71?

Andrew Haworth received his MA in History from the National University of Ireland, Cork.