This work covers the uncertain geopolitical situation of some countries of Central and Eastern Europe, including some of those which are hoping to enter the European Union in the near future, some for which entry is far off, and some which may never seek or be eligible for membership. Attention is given to the problems arising out of economic restructuring and problems of defence. Yet, all the issues are ultimately founded in those geographic essentials that have dogged so much of Europe's modern history: the tension arising from marked differences in the standard of living between the north-west of the continent and the south and east; the way in which past migration has created significant ethnic minorities in many countries; and by the manner in which larger countries have bullied or courted their smaller neighbours.

The post-Soviet country of Georgia has generated surprise upon surprise. Its Rose Revolution in 2003 marked the first time an existing leadership of a post-Soviet state was forced to surrender power peacefully. The new leadership of Western-educated Mikheil Saakashvili initiated wide-ranging domestic reforms, including a large-scale, unprecedented anti-corruption drive. It also intensified relations with the West and sought membership of the EU and NATO. The Georgian leadership's expressed aim of re-integrating territories lost in wars in the early 1990s resulted in a devastating conflict with Russia in 2008. All these developments, and their wider implications, receive careful yet readable attention in this collection by a truly international and specialist group of authors and practitioners. The book offers a spectrum of opinion and compelling insight into the events and decisions that have recently shaped this fascinating yet understudied country, and placed it at the forefront of interest in the changes transforming post-Soviet Eurasia. This book is based on a special issue of European Security.

The realignments in Russia's foreign policy since 1991 not only say much about Russian self-perceptions and national capabilities but also about the dangers and possibilities in cooperation between it and the wider world. This collection provides international perspectives on the evolution of Russia's foreign relations and analyses official Russian responses to major regional and international developments, including NATO and EU enlargement, the post-September 11 international war on terrorism and the continuing conflicts in the Caucasus.

The foreign policies of communist states were governed and their actions justified by official Marxist ideology - at least in principal. This collection of essays examines the extent to which nationalism has replaced communist ideology in the foreign policy of these states. It also analyses how these countries use foreign policy to articulate renewed or newly-established national identities and their wider sense of geopolitical belonging. Written by an international collection of country specialists, the volume includes a comparative introduction and chapters on Russia and a selection of post-communist states from the Baltic, Central Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.

The terrorist attacks of September 11th and more recent atrocities in Russia, Indonesia and Kenya have demonstrated that terrorism now poses the most dangerous threat to stability, democracy and prosperity around the world. This book examines how the world has reacted to, and been affected by, the attacks on September 11th, ensuing war in Afghanistan and to President George W. Bush's declaration of a 'war on terror' as the 'first war of the 21st Century'. The contributions by distinguished specialists in the field examine the domestic implications of terrorism and counter terrorist initiatives.

Few books can boast the quality and range of the contributions to this volume, which locate the war on terror in a truly global and intellectual context. The book will be essential reading for all students of international relations and terrorism as well as the general reader wishing to understand this complex subject.

This collection provides international perspectives on the evolution of Russia's foreign relations and analyses official Russian responses to major regional and international developments, including NATO and EU enlargement and the post-September 11 international "war on terrorism."

Russia's transition from communism holds great significance not only for that country but also for the wider world. This collection of essays examines the broad spectrum of Russia's transition since 1991 - considering not only the pattern of events but also what the changes have meant for Russians themselves, and for their future. Particular attention is given to political attitudes and foreign policy, to the changing status of women, to religion and censorship, and to the continuing war in Chechnya.

Czechoslovakia has captured the nation's imagination throughout the twentieth century. The Allied betrayal of the country to Nazi Germany in 1938 was to demonstrate the appalling consequences of naive appeasement of aggression. The wholesale reform of Soviet communism in the Prague Spring of 1968 won western support, and sympathy when it was crushed by Warsaw Pact tanks. The fierce communist regime thereafter was brought down almost magically in 1989. Czechoslovakia added to the international political vocabulary the term, 'Velvet Revolution', and the velvet metaphor has characterised much of the country's path-breaking postcommunist transformation and its peaceful break-up in 1993.
In separate chapters on history, politics, economics, foreign relations and the new Czech identity, this book not only applauds the successes of the Czech Republic since 1993, but also uncovers the frayed edges of the velvet nation.

The foreign policies of communist states were governed and their actions justified by official Marxist ideology - at least in principal. This collection of essays examines the extent to which nationalism has replaced communist ideology in the foreign policy of these states. It also analyses how these countries use foreign policy to articulate renewed or newly-established national identities and their wider sense of geopolitical belonging. Written by an international collection of country specialists, the volume includes a comparative introduction and chapters on Russia and a selection of post-communist states from the Baltic, Central Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.

The book addresses security threats and challenges to the European Union emanating from its eastern neighbourhood. The volume includes the expertise of policy and scholarly contributors coming from North America, Russia and Central Asia, and from across the EU. Themes and issues include the EU's capacities and actorness, support from the United States, challenges from Russia, and a range of case studies including Ukraine, other post-Soviet conflicts, the Kurdish question, Central Asia, and terrorism and counter-terrorism. Authors identify current threats and place these challenges into necessary historical context. They offer long-term recommendations for actionable goals to achieve greater stability in this complex and volatile region. This work is explanatory and long-lasting, and will engage readers in the limits and possibilities of the EU in a challenging era and in its most vital and demanding geographic arena.

The book addresses security threats and challenges to the European Union emanating from its eastern neighbourhood. The volume includes the expertise of policy and scholarly contributors coming from North America, Russia and Central Asia, and from across the EU. Themes and issues include the EU's capacities and actorness, support from the United States, challenges from Russia, and a range of case studies including Ukraine, other post-Soviet conflicts, the Kurdish question, Central Asia, and terrorism and counter-terrorism. Authors identify current threats and place these challenges into necessary historical context. They offer long-term recommendations for actionable goals to achieve greater stability in this complex and volatile region. This work is explanatory and long-lasting, and will engage readers in the limits and possibilities of the EU in a challenging era and in its most vital and demanding geographic arena.

While the war in Afghanistan saw most industrial countries back the US-led campaign, the subsequent war in Iraq has profoundly divided international opinion, and likely represents a watershed in the post? Cold War international order. ""The Iraq War"" examines the full range of explanations of the conflict, as well as its significance for the Middle East, for key international relationships, and for the future of the international system. The authors critically assess the foreign-policy decisions of both global and regional actors. What policies were adopted, and against what opposition? What state interests were served or compromised in the process? What are the likely longer-term consequences of each country's position? Addressing these questions, as well as broader issues of regional stability, global political economy, and the changing nature of warfare, they offer an in-depth, systematic analysis that brings clarity to this complex subject.

Czechoslovakia has been at the center of some of the most difficult and tragic episodes of modern European history: its sacrifice to Nazi Germany at Munich; the Communist Coup of 1948; and the military crushing of the Prague Spring. It has also enacted momentous change almost magically, as in the peaceful overthrow of communism in 1989, and then the negotiated end to the country in 1992. Czechoslovak history has consequently produced enduring political metaphors for our times, such as the Velvet Revolution and Velvet Divorce. The second edition of the Historical Dictionary of the Czech State has been thoroughly updated and greatly expanded. Featuring a chronology, introductory essay, appendix, bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries, this detailed, authoritative reference provides understandings of the Czechs as a people; the territory they inhabit; their social, cultural, political, and economic developments throughout history; and interactions with their neighbors and the wider world."

Regions are now everywhere across the globe and are increasingly fundamental to the functioning of all aspects of world affairs from trade to conflict management, and can even be said to now constitute world order. But to what extent are their origins, purposes, operating principles and wider consequences the same? An eminent and international collection of scholars examine the central but disputed concept of regions from a range of perspectives and assess leading contemporary examples. Rather than uncritically celebrating regions, the collection also offers some contrarian findings and wider lessons of interest across the study of International Relations and beyond.

The terrorist attacks of September 11th and more recent atrocities in Russia, Indonesia and Kenya have demonstrated that terrorism now poses the most dangerous threat to stability, democracy and prosperity around the world. This book examines how the world has reacted to, and been affected by, the attacks on September 11th, ensuing war in Afghanistan and to President George W. Bush's declaration of a 'war on terror' as the 'first war of the 21st Century'. The contributions by distinguished specialists in the field examine the domestic implications of terrorism and counter terrorist initiatives.

Few books can boast the quality and range of the contributions to this volume, which locate the war on terror in a truly global and intellectual context. The book will be essential reading for all students of international relations and terrorism as well as the general reader wishing to understand this complex subject.