The first theme is that the aggressive actions and postures (political and military) of the Soviet Union (whether Stalin or Andropov) forced the West and its combined with an ever-increasing response. to the perceived threat of a Soviet attack. The second theme is that the United States, faced with this aggressive posture, responded in kind; by bringing the issues back to the Soviet Union. In the final theme, attempts to counter what the Soviets/Americans saw as an encroachment on their spheres of influence required a response. The reality in this nuclear poker was that everyone could afford to lose their small hands, but would not engage in all-out confrontation unless threatened by the threat of all-out war. The United States' commitment represented its challenge to becoming active leaders of freedom and