The core of the "Ally with America against the East" diplomatic strategy lay in the certainty that Soviet Union was already the weakest of the three nations, with considerable room yet to decline.
Germany and Soviet Union were bound to fight a war, and Soviet Union's industry and cities would most likely suffer severe blows afterward.
The Soviet government was deeply pessimistic. They did not believe Soviet Union could keep Germans outside its borders.
The border between Soviet Union and the German camp was simply too long. It was unrealistic to imitate French and build a "Maginot Line."
At the same time, Soviet Union's strategic depth was even worse than in the previous life. Parts of West Ukraine and Belarus had not been recovered, while Poland had wholly leaned toward Germany.
This also meant that once war broke out with Germany, Soviet Union's Leningrad Industrial Zone, Moscow Industrial Zone, and East Ukraine Industrial Zone could become front lines after the slightest setback, due to their lack of buffer space.
The status of these three great industrial zones within Soviet Union was self-evident. They were the most densely concentrated regions in both population and industry. Forget falling into enemy hands—even being touched by the flames of war would be an unbearable pain for Soviet Union.
Litvinov said in a deeply depressed voice, "Facing a German attack, Soviet Union's situation will only go from bad to worse. We already lag far behind East Africa and United States, and after enduring the flames of war, that gap can only widen."
"However, where there is gain, there is loss. I believe this is also an important prerequisite for us to draw United States closer."
Yosef's gaze dimmed somewhat. He picked up his pipe and drew hard on it. The conference room filled with thick