A Mounting Soviet Threat to the Northern Tier

Publication Date: July 1983

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): James A. Phillips

Research Area: International relations

Keywords: Russia and Eurasia

Type: Report

Coverage: Soviet Union

Abstract:

The West has a vital strategic stake in maintaining the independence and stability of the Northern Tier countries. Soviet domination of the Northern Tier, particularly Iran, would be tantamount to Soviet domination of the Persian Gulf--the center of gravity of world oil production. Once astride the Gulf, the Soviets would be able to deny oil to the West by means short of war. This would give Moscow the leverage to weaken the Western alliance by prying energy-poor European and Far Eastern allies away from the United States. In the long run, the collapse of CENT0 could prove to be the first step leading to the dissolution of NATO.