We're All in the Same Boat

Abstract

All of our discussions of foreign policy themes have been premised on the assumption—a kind of a constant in the American-Soviet equation—of a "consistent peace-loving Soviet foreign policy." "There, they are always changing presidents and the party in power, and with them the policies. But we have a collective leadership, which is consistently carried out. …" The world is black and white, bipolar: "The camp of socialism and peace" and the "camp of capitalism and war." The West has repeated the same stereotypes, but gives them a different meaning. The situation is clear although alarming and, at times, as in the Caribbean crisis, carries us to the brink of nuclear disaster. Accordingly, even military doctrine has assumed our total victory in any conflict or clash with the enemy camp; and if the aggressor is a nuclear aggressor, he too will be dealt a crushing triumphant blow by our armed forces.