The Non-Aligned Movement

Abstract

Winning allies and friends in the developing world was an obvious Cold War stratagem for both sides. Developing countries could have vital raw materials and strategic base areas. More importantly, the more allies one side had, the more it appeared to be winning — and appearances mattered in the Cold War. A source of frustration was that the developing nations had their own needs and priorities. They were not prepared to accept tamely their prescribed roles as very junior players in an east-west confrontation.