Stalin’s objectives were mixed. Locally, he hoped to expand his buffer zone in Asia. From a regional perspective, by dominating the Korean peninsula he could expect to bring pressure to bear upon Japan that would limit its utility to the United States; moreover, he could also expect to widen the rift between Mao and the United States. Indeed, were Kim to fail, as indeed was the case, China and America could be expected to be engaged in hostilities, thereby drawing a line between them. From a more global strategic perspective America was bound to become more engaged in Asia – hopefully at the expense of its engagement in Europe – whether as a result of a humiliating loss or as a result of taking on a commitment in Korea. On the face of it the calculating Stalin had everything to gain and nothing to lose, whatever the outcome.