Abstract. The article is devoted to the research activities of IMEMO in 1985–1989, when the Institute was headed by Academician Yevgeny Primakov. Perestroika in IMEMO was characterized by a noticeable revival of scientific research, which was gradually released from censorship and ideological diktat. The revision of the old dogmas affected both the theory and practical politics. In this way, the researchers met with great difficulties. Thus, the attempt to create in IMEMO a fundamental work on the theory of international relations failed. During these years political theory couldn’t keep pace with political practice. More successful was the search for new approaches to foreign and defense policy of the USSR. A number of recommendations of IMEMO were approved and used in a strategic dialogue with the United States.