The best policy that developing countries can adopt is that of Non-Alignment. Tito and Nehru understood that all too well in the sixties and seventies. Where you have two opposing philosophies or superpowers, the best path is one straight down the middle. Yes, you can be courted by both, and accept aid and assistance from both to develop your economies, but you should not promise anything in return, certainly not the permission to build military bases. Any newly independent countries should bear that in mind.