At the outset of the 1980's NATO decided to extend the scien­ tific program of its Scientific Affairs Division to include the social sciences. Strategic and international studies were in­ cluded within this domain with the express purpose of facilitating communication among experts and research centers in member coun­ tries as well as in the Organization itself on these important topics. This study is the result of the first Advanced Research Workshop on a subject of international relations. It focuses on the historical and theoretical aspects of geopolitics because they must necessarily precede studies of policy application. This was the intent of the organizers of the