ABSTRACT
This chapter will outline the development of Soviet foreign policy between the wars and provide explanations for the frequent alterations of course made by Lenin and Stalin. At its best, Soviet policy was skilful, confident and effective; at its worst, it was blundering, uncertain and ruinous. Throughout the period there was an internal-it might be said dialectical-conflict between ideological motives on the one hand and, on the other, a pragmatism which bordered on cynicism.
