The Pattern of Soviet Conduct in the Third World, Review and Preview. Part I

Abstract

Soviet efforts to gain influence in the Third World are a major threat to U.S. security interests. Moscow has spread its power into South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East in recent years. But the USSR also suffers from major weaknesses in obtaining and maintaining footholds. This study considers Soviet techniques and the causes of specific successes and failures. The strongest tool in the Soviet arsenal is the ability to quickly and decisively concentrate large amounts of aid and attention on a few countries. During critical power struggles, this is a potent weapon. The Soviets use increasingly improved techniques for keeping Third World client governments in power--through military, security, and intelligence aid. The ideological appeal of Soviet Communism in the Third World is strictly limited.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 07, 1983
Accession Number
ADA269777

Entities

People

  • Walter Laqueur

Organizations

  • Office of the Secretary of Defense

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Civil War
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • Health Services
  • International Law
  • International Relations
  • National Governments
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Political Systems
  • Recreation
  • Second World War
  • South Asia
  • Students
  • Treaties
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Systems Analysis and Design