re: Germ of truth
As far as "solidarity" goes, that's easy enough to prove. Just point out how many major "revolutionary" movements in Africa, South America, Central America, the Middle East or elsewhere were not bankrolled and armed by the Soviet Union, prior to its fall. I can think of two, maybe three.
Believe me, if we had taken a "let it be" approach to Soviet expansionism through the 60s, 70s and 80s, the world would look a lot different now, and the U.S.S.R. would still be alive.