Geopolitics: The Key to Understanding Soviet Regional Behavior.
Abstract
The body of theoretical knowledge known as traditional geopolitics plays an important supporting role in the formulation of Soviet foreign policy. Understanding this role, one can begin to build a usable theoretical framework for analyzing Soviet behavior in strategically important regions of the world. This study, an article written for publication in AIR FORCE Magazine, shows how Mackinder's theoretical notion of systemic conflicts between heartland-controlling land powers and rimland-controlling sea powers is consistent with the Marxist-Leninist Theory of War--the ideological basis for Soviet foreign policy. The article then explains how the USSR is pursuing its fundamental geopolitical goal--increasing its influence in the rimlands of peninsular Europe and Asia-by providing the reader an up-to-date synopsis of ongoing Soviet activities in three key regions of the world: Europe, Southwest Asia, and the Caribbean basin.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA181211
Entities
People
- Bruce D. Slawter
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College