If you think so then you are greatly underestimating the danger of the Nazis and especially the Communists.
Map of the world in 1980
Note: this map isn't entirely accurate: China, India, and Iran probably would have allied with the USSR in the event of a major war and many of our blue allies wouldn't have done anything to help.
You know, I don't think you can judge this threat based on land mass/allies.
Communism was bad, no doubt...but we are now dealing with a small area that has HUGE assets.
If it wasn't for oil, we wouldn't be talking about this at all. I'd like to see a map now of allied countries and enemy countries based on oil production. I have a feeling the "feel" of the challenge would change dramatically.
China and the Soviet Union were bitter enemies in 1980. China even boycotted the Moscow Olympics and that was supposed to be the first summer Olympics with Communist China. China did not boycott the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.