ABSTRACT
The language of Soviet politics is permeated with militarisms: even the most pacific spheres of government activity become “fronts” which have to be “stormed,” all-out “offensives” are launched to conquer internal difficulties, and even peace itself becomes the object of a “struggle.” According to Soviet theorists, under conditions of prolonged modern warfare, victory requires a succession of interdependent operations, based on solid logistic support and synchronized to produce on the enemy mounting pressure which, attaining unbearable levels, eventually causes him to collapse. The subject is of great importance and deserves the kind of careful study given to Soviet military practices. Soviet foreign policy involves a great deal more than diplomacy: diplomacy is one of its minor instrumentalities and Soviet diplomats resemble more the bearers of white flags sent to cross combat lines than the staff officers or the combatants. The Soviet government conducts a “total” foreign policy which draws no principal distinction between diplomatic, psychological, or military means of operation.
