Notwithstanding the manifold activities of the Soviet Government in world affairs since Nikita Khrushchev took over the heritage of Stalin, there is still a wide-spread lack of understanding in the non-communist world of the international aims and policies of Stalin's successor. This situation islargely due to the image of Khrushchev's goals and policies which communist propaganda has built up throughout the world — an image which is a pretty complete misrepresentation of the reality. A very effective role in this propaganda has been played by the term, policy of peaceful coexistence, which Khrushchev has chosen to describe his new course. The selection of this term was a master strokeon the part of the communist leader in view of the great success which this slogan has had in blurringand confusing the thinking of Western writers and commentators on Soviet foreign policy.