THE DILEMMA OF SUPERPOWER: SOVIET POLICY AND STRATEGY IN TRANSITION
Abstract
The Paper analyzes some of the significant changes in Soviet military capabilities and political behavior in recent years. The Paper presents the following broad conclusions: (1) Soviet political concerns with a potential, sharp destabilization of the present status quo at the superpower level motivate them to avoid any actions which could lead to a new confrontation with the United States. (2) The Soviet leaders, however, feel less constrained in pursuing low-risk, but potential high-pay-off policies in areas in which US interests are presumed to be minor or ill defined--the 'Third Areas,' generally, and the Middle East/Mediterranean area, specifically. (3) These two broad policy directions have generated recent Soviet efforts to build up their strategic and conventional military capabilities, which in turn, reinforce further Soviet commitments to these policies. The Paper also offers several potential Soviet policy alternatives whose implementation depend, to a large extent, on real or perceived threats to Soviet security interests, and on political opportunities created by shifting international events.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0666538
Entities
People
- Roman Kolkowicz
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses