ABSTRACT
During the 1970s, the Mediterranean was a major subject of discussion mainly because of the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Soviet penetration into the Middle East, and the political uncertainty on North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s southern flank. The detachment of the Black Sea fleet in the Mediterranean suddenly grew to 70 ships and demonstrated in a tangible way Soviet support for the Arab countries. In 1972 Soviet relations with Egypt deteriorated. Soviet ships evacuated the port of Marsa Matrouh, but maintained access to the Alexandria naval dockyard. During the 1970s, the Soviet fleet indisputably rose in power, as new ships far more powerful than their predecessors entered into service, and a Soviet naval presence was extended to all seas. Since 1978, with the peace treaty between Japan and China and then the war between China and Vietnam, the Soviets have accorded priority to the Pacific theater.
