SOVIET UNION: The Amerikanisti

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The Soviet elite has been conspicuously represented among the journal's contributors as well as among its subscribers. Former President Anastas Mikoyan's son Sergei, Premier Aleksei Kosygin's daughter Lyudmila Gvishiani, Brezhnev's daughter Galina, and Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko's son Anatoly have all written on American affairs for the institute. A frequent contributor himself, Arbatov may write an article on the 1972 election, based on his upcoming trip to the U.S.

The U.S.A. Institute is the only Soviet research center devoted to the study of a single country. The Amerikanisti enjoy increasing influence and support among the leadership due to the current Soviet-American rapprochement. Ironically, Russia's America watchers are prospering just when America's Russia watchers fear that their profession is in serious trouble. "One difference between us," says Arbatov, "is that in times of bad relations there is less interest here in the U.S., but as relations improve there is more interest." His budget for the institute has been increased in each of the past two years.