The Soviet Union's advantage lay on land, so it did not fear East Africa's naval power in the Persian Gulf. Britain, however, had no chance at all—but East Africa had even more reason to guard against the British.
Britain's signature acts were "Splendid Isolation" and the "Balance of Power policy," especially when facing opponents on Britain's own level or stronger than Britain.
East Africa and the Soviet Union were now both stronger than Britain. Thus, both were targets of Britain's "balance of power." By using every possible means to sow discord between the two nations, if the Soviet Union and East Africa came into direct conflict, Britain could maintain its "isolated" position and safeguard the security of its South Asian colonies.
If East Africa and the Soviet Union had not been powerful, the British could have struck hard with the iron fist of "gunboat diplomacy."
Although Soviet leader Yosef was a master of geopolitics, the Soviet Union still could not shake off the Slavs' blunt, rough-and-simple diplomatic methods. East Africa, on the other hand, was not afraid of this kind of open-handed play.
Countries like Britain, skilled in schemes and intrigues, were all the more detestable. Even if they could not cause much real damage, they could still make one sick to the stomach.
Dizful.
This was an important ancient Persian city, located along both banks of the Dez River. Dizful translated as "Fortress Bridge," and throughout history it had been a major Persian military and commercial stronghold.
At its city center stood an ancient bridge built during the Sasanian Dynasty—the Dezful Ancient Bridge. It had a history of more than a thousand years and would still exist into the twenty-first century.
The Dezful Ancient Bridge was roughly four hundred meters long and had seventeen arches. Its piers were