The author of this volume argues that Soviet actions in the Middle East crises from 1967-1973 reflected the unwillingness or inability of Soviet leaders to reconcile their regional goals with broader global objectives. He builds on a number of studies in cognitive psychology and management science, and examines Soviet actions in three conflicts which defined the political structure of the Middle East for more than a quarter of a century: the Six Day War of 1967; the War of Attrition from 1969 to 1970; and the October War of 1973.