There are a number of books on the Soviet armed forces that describe weapons and composition. Here is the most broad ranging, detailed treatment of the subject to date. Correlation of Forces traces the development of the Soviet military over the past forty years, decade by decade. In addition to weaponry and composition, this authoritative reference covers leadership and geopolitical ebb and flow—including current troop movements in the Third World and along the Soviet-Sino border. Author Hansen has also selected fourteen years of critical importance to the development of the Soviet military, assesses the events of those years, and analyzes their significance.