The Soviet‐Vietnamese Treaty

The Superpowers and their Foreign Policies In international affairs, only two superpowers, namely, the U.S. and the Soviet Union ? because of their military, technological and economic resources ? have the capacity to exercise a global presence, intervene in crisis situations and establish peace and security in every pan of the world. Their nuclear arsenal and continued development in strategic weapons assure themselves of a mutual deterrent against each other. The Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT) and d?tente can be viewed as efforts to maintain their military balance. Thus, unless a suicidal or mad leader comes to the scene, there is little likelihood of direct conflict or war between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. But the interests of the U.S. and the Soviet Union, outside of their bilateral relations, are not constrained by the nuclear deterrent, SALT or d?tente. Both seek through diplomatic, economic, technical and military means, and through covert and overt actions, to maintain their global presence, create spheres of influence, support allies and friendly governments and extend their power and influence. Since the end of the Second World War, the superpowers have dominated: the state of international affairs, peace and war, crisis and stability in various regions have been a result of their relationship. The relations of the superpowers with states in the international community are linked to their national security, economic well-being and political system. These relations are tied up by alliances, treaty arrangements, economic and technical aid programmes and diplomatic support. However, the superpowers have certain priorities in terms of their commitment and their role in the defence of certain governments. These are firm and consistent in areas which are considered vital to the interests of the superpowers: these are the spheres of influence of the superpowers. For the U.S., these regions are North America and Western Europe, and the states are Israel, South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. For the Soviet Union, they are Eastern Europe and the states of North Korea and Cuba. These are states which for geopolitical reasons and treaty corrimitments are considered vital and, hence, those which they are prepared to defend at all costs. The governments in these states look to either the U.S. or the Soviet Union for military protection, economic and technical assistance and diplomatic support. Many of them derive inspiration from the political and economic system of either the U.S. or the Soviet Union. The maintenance of the status quo in these regions and states is directly related to the bilateral relations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. For this reason, both are constrained from extending their power and influence to the other camp, and from intervening in the internal affairs of governments in these regions and states. It is in the so-called Third World where the competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union for power and influence has held promise of expansion for them. In the

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