Smaller states were helpful for the Superpowers (US) in gaining access to _____.

All of the above.

*The correct answer is Option 4: All of the above.*

Option 1- Vital resources.
Option 2- Territory where Superpower could launch their weapons and troops.
Option 3- Economic support, in that many small allies together could help pay for military expenses.
Option 4- All of the above.

Explanation:

The superpowers needed allies. With their nuclear weapons and regular armies, they were so powerful that the combined power of most of the smaller states in Asia and Africa, and even in Europe, was no match to that of the superpowers. Yet, the smaller states were helpful for the superpowers in gaining access to

(i) vital resources, such as oil and minerals,

(ii) territory, from where the superpowers could launch their weapons and troops,

(iii) locations from where they could spy on each other, and

(iv) economic support, in that many small allies together could help pay for the military expenses.