ABSTRACT
Analysis of the Soviet Union’s military strategy has resulted in a wide expression of opinion on the crucial question — what are the intentions of the USSR? The spectrum stretches from the “hawks” who see expansionism as the motivating force behind Soviet actions, to the “doves” who see defensiveness as the key element. This anthology of previously published articles seeks to combine the most important arguments from both sides, presenting a broad analysis of the key features of Soviet strategy. Beginning with an introduction to the subject, the book covers such topics as the Soviet approach to nuclear war, defense and deterrence in the nuclear age, and the calculation of risk in the use of the military instrument. One of the main themes running through the text is that although the Soviet Union clearly does not view military issues in the same way as does the West, its approach is not necessarily aggressive and dangerous in all respects.
