foundations of international relations; and doubts are being cast upon the development of political contacts and mutually advanta­ geous economic and cultural relations between States. The arms race is entering a radically new and much more danger­ ous stage which involves all kinds of weapons, both nuclear and conventional, and all kinds of military activity, and virtually all parts of the world. Old fires of tension are being fanned again, and new conflicts and crisis situations are springing up. Attempts of peace-loving States to settle global and regional disputes through negotiations on the basis of equality between the parties concerned are being blocked, and ever larger numbers of unresolved international questions are ac­ cumulating. Imperialist circles are pursuing a policy of strength, pressure, diktat, interference in internal affairs and encroachment on the national independence and sovereignty of States and are attempting to consolidate and redistribute '"spheres of influenc ·". They are trying to turn to their advantage any frictions and compli­ cations arising in relations between States, any difficulties that vari­ ous peoples may experience. Obstacles are being placed in the way of a normal development of economic, scientific and technical co-operation, economic sanctions and embargoes are being used as instruments of policy, and this complicates even further the efforts to solve today's economic problems. The imperialist circles are trying to shift the burden of the economic crisis to the shoulders of the world's peoples, including those of the developing countries. For those peoples, regardless of the level of economic development of various countries, enormous military spending is becoming an increasingly heavy burden and retarding economic and social progress. Today, near the close of the twentieth century, mankind is faced with pressing global problems of a socio-economic, demographic and ecological character. The present level of development of the 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the current state of international relations, highlighting the tensions and conflicts between nations, the arms race, and the economic crisis. It also touches on the impact of these issues on the global community, including the developing countries. Given the focus on international relations, politics, and economic issues, it seems likely that the text is related to broader themes such as global governance, diplomacy, and international cooperation.

**Category**
International relations, Economic development