Eastern European and Soviet Department: Operation Commonsense: Assessments of Soviet Policy for Leaders in the Middle East, Asia and Africa

A file of correspondence and reports concerning a British foreign-policy initiative named "Operation Commonsense". The documents cover an initiative suggested by the Foreign Secretary, Lord Carrington, to supply assessments regarding Soviet policy, intentions, and subversion techniques to governments deemed susceptible to Soviet influence, including Jordan, Bahrain, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Botswana, Nepal, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Malawi. The file also covers the reactions of British diplomatic posts to the proposal; the response of the papers' recipients; and discussions on the value of the exercise and whether it should continue. The file also refers to the content of the reports, which included an analysis of Soviet interests in the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, and discussion of Soviet military activity in the Indian Ocean.