The purpose of this anthology is to deepen Western understanding of<br > the sourcessubstanceand significance of contemporary Soviet foreign<br > policy0ur book iS designed for students of Soviet politicscomparative<br > foreign policiesand international relationsAlsoit iS structured to meet<br > the needs of governmentbusinessand media officials and of citizens<br > concerned about the USSR7S international aimsactivitiesand accom<br > plishmentsThe present work complements our anthology on Soviet<br > domestic politicsTЭe Soviet Polittt in the Modern Era(HawthorneNY<br > Aldine Publishing Co1984)Togetherthese volumes provide a com<br > prehensive survey of notable Western writings about Soviet external<br > and internal behavior and their interrelationshipsCompeting view<br > points are juxtaposed primarily in the first and last parts of both books<br > and authoritative analyses of key topics are presented primarily in the<br > other parts1<br > A distinctive feature of this collection iS its numerous contributions<br > from present and past officials of the United States Government and<br > from fulltime researchers in organizations that advise government<br > officialsThese contributions provide some of the most insightful and<br > knowledgeable interpretations of Soviet foreign policyAlsothey reflect<br > the concerns of Americans inside and outside of government who<br > participate in public debate about international politicsWe hope to raise<br > the level of this debate by stimulating informed and independent<br > minded analysis of Soviet international activities and of their policy<br > implications for the WestIn a wordthe present anthology is of policy<br > relevance as well as of academic and general interestIt iS written for<br > Western policymakers and their advisors as well as for the university<br > community and the inquisitive publicAlmost all our authors are Amer<br > icanand the others are European or Canadian<br > We intend to supplement|not supplant l the preeminent histories of<br > Soviet international behavior--Adam BUlam7S Expansion and Coexis<br >