Soviet East European Relations As A Problem For The West

Soviet-East European Relations as a Problem for the West (1987) analyses the evolution of Eastern Europe both internally and in its relationship with the Soviet Union, the development of relations between the two superpowers, and the equilibrium between the two security systems. It examines how these changes have altered Western policy options, how internal Western frictions, arising from differing interpretations of these developments, can best be managed, and the most appropriate future policies both to achieve Western goals and to benefit Eastern Europe.

This book is originated from the 1985 Rome conference on "Soviet-East European Relations: Implications for the West," which explored the elements of continuity and change, especially the trends in intra-Warsaw Pact relations. It contains revised versions of the papers presented at the conference.

"... lucid and stimulating... " --The New York Times Book Review "Essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the new Eastern Europe and the collapse of Soviet control over it--informative and incisive." --Zbigniew Brzezinski "Gati's book... is the most current and best-informed study of this rapidly changing world.... Professor Gati is uniquely qualified to understand and give perspective to the impact of perestroika and Soviet 'new thinking' on the events in Eastern Europe." --William H. Luers, Former U. S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia "... a superb synthesis of the postwar evolution of Soviet-East European relations and the first up-to-date analysis of the revolutionary events in that part of the world in 1989." --Michael Mandelbaum, Council on Foreign Relations "An up-to-date and lucid overview of the troubled course of Soviet-East European relations at time of momentous change in the Soviet bloc." --Sarah M. Terry "... excellent analysis and synthesis... " --Foreign Affairs "this book is written in a lively style and is a good scholarly synthesis of the post-Second World War evolution of Soviet-East European relations ending in the revolutionary events of 1989." --Canadian Journal of Political Science "... a lively and perceptive account... " --Military Review "Clearly and simply written, this book is particularly useful as a compact introduction to the prehistory and transformation of East European politics." --Choice "It is well organized, readable, and sensitive to complexity; find the time to read it." --History

A comprehensive look at both the diversity of Eastern Europe and the multiplicity of Soviet concerns in the region.

The monumental events in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union must be understood, Jan Van Oudenaren argues, in the context of a process of East-West détente begun in 1953 in the aftermath of Stalin's death. Van Oudenaren's comprehensive and timely study examines the development of Soviet-Western détente from the death of Stalin to the unification of Germany. In redefining détente as a process, rather than a code of conduct, Van Oudenaren looks to its origins in Soviet policy earlier than previously identified and analyzes both its history and character. His study explores the restoration of four-power negotiations in Germany and Austria in the mid-1950s, their subsequent breakdown in the Berlin crisis, their unexpected revival in 1990 in the form of "two plus four" talks on German unity, and the future of the Soviet Union as a European power. Among the key elements of détente discussed are diplomacy, particularly the role of summit conferences; cooperation among parliaments, political parties, and trade unions; arms control; economic relations; and links among cultural institutions, churches, and peace movements.