Includes index.

Soviet third world policy under Stalin, 1946-1953 -- Revived Soviet interest in the third world, 1954-1957 -- Khrushchev's forward strategy, 1958-1960 -- Peaking of Khrushchev's third world expectations, 1961-1964 -- Setbacks and reappraisal of third world policy, 1965-1969 -- Furthering of Soviet strategic interests in the third world, 1970-1974 -- Increased Soviet third world involvement, 1975-1980 -- The introduction of cooperative intervention -- The Soviet intervention in Afghanistan -- Soviet policy objectives in the third world -- The spectrum of past Soviet involvements in third world conflicts -- Attributes and patterns of Soviet military involvements prior to Afghanistan -- The Soviet involvement in Afghanistan: comparisons and implications -- Future Soviet involvement in the third world -- Influencing Soviet risk perceptions and other U.S. responses.