Final answer:
In the 1970s, Soviet military theorists considered the potential of engaging in successful limited regional conflicts. The primary objective of U.S. foreign policy at the start of the Cold War was to stop the spread of communism by the Soviet Union. The establishment of NATO was meant to protect against Soviet aggression towards Western nations.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the 1970s, Soviet military theorists began to formulate the possibility of waging successful limited regional conflicts. This notion was based on the development of their military capabilities at the time and their global strategic interests. In contrast, the primary goal of U.S. foreign policy at the beginning of the Cold War was to prevent the Soviet Union from spreading communism outside Eastern Europe. This was part of a containment strategy to limit the influence of Soviet ideology and protect democratic nations through mechanisms like NATO, which was created to shield Western countries from Soviet aggression.
During and after World War II, the Soviet Union's intention was to construct a buffer zone of friendly governments in Eastern Europe to prevent another invasion from the West. This lead to the establishment of communist, pro-Soviet governments in the region. The Yalta Agreement reaffirmed Stalin's commitment to entering the war against Japan three months after Germany's defeat, among other things.
The overall atmosphere of the Cold War period, dominated by the arms race and ideological contest, set the stage for a complex interplay of foreign policy objectives and military strategies by both superpowers.