AN APPRAISAL OF SOVIET MARITIME - NAVAL CAPABILITIES

Important to understanding the nature of our new maritime rival is an evaluation of her capabilities and outlook. Some consideration of her intentions-as the least of possibilities opened by the Soviet Union's burgeoning competence on the sea—is thus inherent to any useful study thereof. More important, of course, is analysis of the roles she is exploiting and may exploit in the arena of international power. Russia's own image of herself and her history is significant to this appreciation. Definitive answers are not expected at this stage, but it is hoped that the inquiry herewith begun can lead to a clearer view of some of the prospects for future years.