This book investigates the persistent risk of acute crises arising from superpower competition in the Third World and proposes methods for their reduction. The text, a central study from the Ford Foundation/Southampton University project on North/South security relations, synthesizes the work of specialists to analyze the competitive dynamics of the 1970s and 1980s. It examines specific regional conflicts where both superpowers were involved, assessing the long-term implications of their involvement despite increasing collaboration. The work aims to reappraise past experiences and evaluate future prospects for crisis prevention in volatile geopolitical areas.

This 1990 publication argues that superpower competition in the Third World inherently carried a high likelihood of acute crises, a risk that could be mitigated through agreements between the US and the Soviet Union. As a key study from a joint project on North/South security relations, it draws on diverse specialist expertise to dissect the competitive dynamics of the preceding decades. The work was particularly timely in reappraising past experiences and assessing future crisis prevention strategies amidst ongoing global uncertainties. It highlights the need for careful consideration of superpower intentions and collaborative potential in volatile regions.