Cold War: After Cuba

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Peking—a prospect that seems as remote as ever. Cuba has raised some fears in the West that Russia and Red China may patch up their differences in the face of mutual foes, but so far, Khrushchev's performance can only confirm Peking's view that he is inept and weak. While Russia has been backing China in its invasion of India, this will not endear Moscow to the Afro-Asian nations it has tried so hard to woo.

Turkey has been eroded in recent years by political chaos, a growing Red underground, and economic stress. But it is fiercely anti-Russian, has a crack 450,000-man army, and remains the West's staunchest ally in the area. Iran has become increasingly conciliatory toward Moscow lately, promised (before the Cuban crisis) never to allow foreign missiles on its soil. Part of the reason lies in the Shah's annoyance with the U.S. for not giving him all the military hardware he wants. Nevertheless, the country remains a CENTO ally and, short of direct military conquest, is most unlikely to join the Communist camp.

Other Mideast countries offer a checkered picture, ranging from Nasser's manageable neutralism to relatively stable pro-Western attitudes in Jordan and Lebanon. Weakest spot is Iraq, which is approaching the status of a Russian satellite.

Africa has been a cold war disappointment to the Communists. Western aid and the end of France's war in Algeria have boosted the free world's stock, while Russia has suffered damaging setbacks in the Congo, as well as in Guinea, where brazen Soviet meddling in its domestic politics infuriated Marxist-minded Africans. There is little prospect for any Red retaliatory blows in Africa that would seriously bother the West.

Around the world, the issue is "credibility"—at long last, not America's but Russia's. Communist credibility has suffered so severe a blow that the whole balance of power between East and West is likely to change. After Cuba, few nations anywhere will rely on Russian promises of protection and alliance—or doubt U.S. determination to make a stand for freedom.