How did the Non-Aligned Movement navigate Cold War rivalries?

The Non-Aligned Movement navigated Cold War rivalries by maintaining neutrality and refusing to align with either superpower bloc.

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was a collective of states that sought to navigate the geopolitical landscape of the Cold War without formally aligning with either the United States or the Soviet Union. This was a challenging task, given the intense pressure from both superpowers to join their respective blocs. However, the NAM managed to maintain its neutrality through a combination of diplomatic manoeuvring, strategic alliances, and a commitment to principles of self-determination and non-interference.

The NAM was founded in 1961, at the height of the Cold War, by leaders from India, Egypt, Indonesia, Ghana, and Yugoslavia. These leaders were united by a shared desire to retain their sovereignty and avoid becoming pawns in the superpower rivalry. They believed that by remaining non-aligned, they could pursue their national interests more effectively and resist the ideological and military pressures of the Cold War.

To maintain their neutrality, NAM members often had to walk a diplomatic tightrope. They sought to balance their relationships with both superpowers, avoiding actions that might be seen as favouring one over the other. This often involved playing the superpowers off against each other, using their desire for influence in the developing world to extract concessions and aid.

The NAM also sought to build alliances with other non-aligned states, creating a third bloc that could act as a counterweight to the superpowers. This was seen in their support for decolonisation and opposition to apartheid, which helped to build solidarity among non-aligned states and increase their collective bargaining power.

Despite these efforts, the NAM was not always successful in maintaining its neutrality. Some members were drawn into the superpower rivalry, either through direct intervention or by aligning with one bloc to counter threats from the other. However, the NAM's commitment to the principles of non-alignment and self-determination remained a guiding force throughout the Cold War, helping to shape the movement's response to the superpower rivalry.