The USSR and the Future European Security Order
The collapse of communism and the unification of Germany have shattered the foundations of the USSR’s postwar policy toward Europe. This policy was based on three pillars: (1) Soviet hegemony in Eastern Europe; (2) the division of Germany; and (3) the bipolar political division of Europe. All three pillars are now destroyed beyond repair. The USSR is thus faced with the task of constructing a new policy not only toward Eastern Europe but toward Europe as a whole.