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This article presents information on the international relations between the U.S. and Russia during the year 1998 as a result of the Gulf War. The Russian President Boris Yeltsin warned that a U.S. attack on Iraq could provoke World War III. The U.S. considered a nuclear attack during the Gulf War as was professed by General George Lee Butler, former Commander of the U.S. Strategic Command. Consideration of the option was a closely held secret at the highest levels of the Pentagon and White House. The U.S. nuclear policy directive reported in December 1998 explicitly allows for a nuclear strike against a so-called rogue state threatening the use of chemical or biological weapons-a significant departure from past policy.

Addresses issues concerning the diplomatic relations of the U.S. government with the Soviet Union and other communist countries. Assertion of the author that the U.S. government should further encourage the transition of Communist countries towards capitalism; Foreign relations of the U.S. government with the Soviet Union; Ways in which the U.S. government could promote the democratization of totalitarian societies.

Focuses on views expressed by former president Richard Nixon regarding U.S. President George Bush's foreign policy towards Russian government of Boris Yeltsin. Aspects of the incumbent government's foreign policy criticized by Nixon; Views that Nixon also advised similar policy towards Russia in his opinion expressed in the periodical "Time"; Similarity between attitude of Nixon and Bush towards those who overcommitted themselves to Mikhail Gorbachev; Effort of William Safire, the former Nixon phrase-maker and a "Times" columnist, to laud Nixon; Discussion about the importance given by various periodicals to the story.

Considers the political upheaval in Russia. Conflict between Russian President Boris N. Yeltsin maneuvering to keep weak the former Soviet Union's central authority, and Mikhail S. Gorbachev trying to regain power from the Republics; Importance of the West's decision regarding whom to support, and how heavily; Gorbachev's ability to maneuver and Yeltsin's political mistakes after the coup attempt; Nuclear weapons and nationalist conflicts.

Highlights the attempt of U.S. President George Bush to expand ties with Russia. Focus on economic links between the two countries; Information on the package of technical assistance, trade benefits, and credits that Bush has been quietly shaping for Russia; Details of the issues to be discussed by Bush when he meets Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev at the Group of Seven leaders meeting in London, England, following their July 15-17, 1991 summit.

Explores how China has skillfully worked its way back from diplomatic isolation in recent months and considers the challenges the country faces in light of a changed world. Impact of the Tiananmen Square events; Effects of shrinking Soviet power on China; US President George Bush's New World Order; Chinese reaction to the new Soviet-American relationship.

Presents news briefs related to various socio-political events across the world. Description of a ship accident in which a ferry from the Estonian capital, Tallinn, to Stockholm capsized in the freezing Baltic sea; Outbreak of the pneumonic plague in India; Invitation of U.S. President Bill Clinton to Russian President Boris Yeltsin to a two-day American-Russian summit; Rejection of Clinton's healthcare bill by Democratic leaders in the Senate; Appointment of a new provisional ruling council by Nigeria's military ruler, General Sani Abacha.

The article reports on the acceleration of aid to the troubled republics of the former Soviet Union in spite of warnings from former U.S. President Richard Nixon to break the logjam. In a much-publicized March speech, Richard Nixon warned to ignore the plight of Russia and lose the most precious opportunity of the 20th century. U.S. government and U.S. business must act swiftly to support the fledgling spirit of democracy and free enterprise in Russia and its sister republics.