I would like to point out one aspect of that world view, that I think we Americans must keep a very, very clear eye on, as we assess the sacrifices that are facing us in this period ahead.  To remedy the problems you’ve outlined, the one is that we are not facing the inevitable and inexorable supremacy of Marxism-Leninism as a system.  Quite the contrary, it is a profound historic failure.  If one measures the success of the Soviet brand of communism, we find economic shortfalls, and they’re increasing in severity in the last three to four years.  We find it an agricultural basket case in a historic sense.  Despite the fact that the Soviet leadership has driven larger and larger segments of their population into agriculture, the consequences have not been remunerated.  We find growing demographic problems in the Soviet system, as non-Soviet populations begin to thrust for greater autonomy and a greater voice in the conduct of Soviet policy.  We find that transmitted into the Eastern European zone of influence.

Now what I suggest is that if we Americans and Western nations, we who share common values, have the vision and discipline to get our act together and move in concert and manage this very dangerous period, that at the far end of the decade or more, I think we are facing a period of utmost opportunity and promise.

Now why is it so dangerous, this decade facing us?  Well, there are two converging realities.  On the one hand we have this growth of sheer Soviet military power, which some years ago my friend Sonnenfeldt described as “inorganic,” because it was not accompanied by growth and success in other segments of Soviet society, and simultaneously these pressures, these manifestations of failure, as I have pointed out.  And I think history would confirm that totalitarian states, when plagued with internal failure and armed beyond the limits of prudence and reasonableness, frequently indulge in external diversions to assure their incumbency and continuation in power.  One only need to look to Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia to suggest at least there is some flirtation with that kind of diversion under way in Moscow today.