This International Affairs Bulletin contains five articles by various authors.
Seweryn Bialer’s article describes the Soviet paradox of external expansion and internal decline. The article analyses changing Soviet attitudes and policies to the Third World. Recent reassessment of its policies will probably result in stabilisation of Soviet support for Third World countries.
Philip Nel’s article describes the revitalization of Soviet foreign policy, and looks at its stagnation and overhaul by Gorbachev, which is based on a new conceptual framework, of which the elements are discussed. Consequently, Soviet foreign policy seems poised for a revival, especially concerning Third World relations.
Deon Geldenhuys’s article describes South Africa’s international isolation and discusses four areas of isolation: diplomatic, economic/technological, military and socio-cultural. It compares South Africa to other isolated states and points out unique features of the Republic’s isolation as well as describing South Africa’s willingness to introduce political changes to end isolation.
Michael R Rip’s article regards military photo-reconnaissance from space. Both the United States and the Soviet Union use space-based systems for military activities. The article illustrates the idea that satellites could promote bilateral nuclear arms control treaties and global security, proposing the founding of an international satellite monitoring agency.
Larry Benjamin’s article describes the Reagan Doctrine and the concept of containment that constitutes of US national security policy, with emphasis on limiting the spread of Soviet power. Justification of the Reagan Doctrine is that people have a right to freedom and independence and that the US is obligated to help others achieve this.
