The Role of Small States in the Post-Cold War Era: The Case of Belarus - President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin, Medvedev, Iranian Relationship, Gas Blackmail, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Communism & Socialism
Cover of the book The Role of Small States in the Post-Cold War Era: The Case of Belarus - President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin, Medvedev, Iranian Relationship, Gas Blackmail, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781301825417
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: March 5, 2013
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781301825417
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: March 5, 2013
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

During the Cold War era, most states had gravitated to either one of the superpowers, the United States or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). There were, of course, states that tried to play the independent or semi-independent role. Still, they usually were not challenging to one of the superpowers.

Upon the collapse of the USSR, the United States had enjoyed absolute predominance until approximately the end of the Bush era, when a multipolar world started to develop. At that point, several centers of power emerged, providing the flexibility for small powers to move from the orbit of one center of power to the other. Moreover, the small powers could on occasion even challenge the bigger centers of power.

This is the case with Belarus, at least from 2006 to the present. Belarus officially became an ally of Russia and formed a "union" state. Still, since 2006, Minsk's relationship with Moscow became extremely acrimonious, when Moscow abruptly increased the price of oil/gas delivered to Minsk. Minsk engaged in conflict with Moscow—a conflict that has been mixed with a peculiar detente and new tensions. The conflict with Russia coincided with the flirting by Belarus with the European Union (EU) and, even more so, with China and Iran. All of this indicated that Belarus would continue to exercise a "multi-vector" foreign policy, and this Belarusian policy reflects the general pattern of foreign policy in an emerging multipolar world.

The absence of a single center of power or a few centers of power—as was the case during the Cold War—provides the opportunity even for small states, sandwiched between much stronger states, to move with comparative ease from one center to the other. Even when small states become finally attached to one of these centers, their attachment is not absolute, and freedom of action is still preserved.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

During the Cold War era, most states had gravitated to either one of the superpowers, the United States or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). There were, of course, states that tried to play the independent or semi-independent role. Still, they usually were not challenging to one of the superpowers.

Upon the collapse of the USSR, the United States had enjoyed absolute predominance until approximately the end of the Bush era, when a multipolar world started to develop. At that point, several centers of power emerged, providing the flexibility for small powers to move from the orbit of one center of power to the other. Moreover, the small powers could on occasion even challenge the bigger centers of power.

This is the case with Belarus, at least from 2006 to the present. Belarus officially became an ally of Russia and formed a "union" state. Still, since 2006, Minsk's relationship with Moscow became extremely acrimonious, when Moscow abruptly increased the price of oil/gas delivered to Minsk. Minsk engaged in conflict with Moscow—a conflict that has been mixed with a peculiar detente and new tensions. The conflict with Russia coincided with the flirting by Belarus with the European Union (EU) and, even more so, with China and Iran. All of this indicated that Belarus would continue to exercise a "multi-vector" foreign policy, and this Belarusian policy reflects the general pattern of foreign policy in an emerging multipolar world.

The absence of a single center of power or a few centers of power—as was the case during the Cold War—provides the opportunity even for small states, sandwiched between much stronger states, to move with comparative ease from one center to the other. Even when small states become finally attached to one of these centers, their attachment is not absolute, and freedom of action is still preserved.

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book Narrative Propagation in Russia: A Study in Continuity - Censorship Employed by Tsars, Stalin, and Putin, 2014 Sochi Olympics, Pussy Riot, Putin Cult of Personality, Great Russia, Russian Nationalism by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): An Understanding of the Problem, the Process and Some Solutions - Radicalization, Islamic Terrorism, White Supremacist, Eco-Extremist Case Studies, CITIG by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Hydrogen from Coal and Natural Gas: Research, Development, and Demonstration Program, Polygeneration, Production Pathways, FutureGen by Progressive Management
Cover of the book U.S. Army War College Guide to National Security Issues, Volume I: Theory of War and Strategy - von Clausewitz, Mao, Sun Tzu, Che Guevara, Machiavelli, Luttwak - 5th Edition by Progressive Management
Cover of the book El Salvador: Limited Intervention Equals Limited Returns – History of President Reagan’s Cold War Policy to Restrain Soviet Communist Expansion in Central America in Low-Intensity Counterinsurgency by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Office of the Secretary of the Air Force 1947-1965: World War II, Symington, Berlin Airlift, Battle over B-36, Korean War, Scientist Secretary, Missiles, Air Force Academy, ARPA, NASA, B-70 by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Planning for Action: Campaign Concepts and Tools - Wargaming, Military Decision Making Process (MDMP), Joint Operation Planning Process (JOPP), Military End State, Measurements of Performance (MOP) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Guideposts for the United States Military in the Twenty-first Century: Airpower, Combat Lessons, Military Personnel, Advanced Weapons, Forward Presence, Forward Engagement, Information Superiority by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Pocket Guide to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis: USNA Programs, Admissions, Cadet Life, History by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Apollo and America's Moon Landing Program: Command Module (CSM) Reference by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Intergovernmental Unity of Effort in Support of Biological Threat Prevention: H1N1 Pandemic Influenza Response, Meta-Intelligence, Health Security Policies Lessons Learned by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Operations Field Manual - FM 3-0 (Value-Added Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Green and Blue in the Wild Blue: An Examination of the Evolution of Army and Air Force Airpower Thinking and Doctrine Since Vietnam War - AirLand Battle, Desert Storm, Nuclear War, Close Air Support by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century FEMA Study Course: National Incident Management System (NIMS) Multiagency Coordination Systems (IS-701.a) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Challenging Nuclear Abolition: Analysis Contrasting Nuclear Modernization with the Goal of President Obama to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons, Complete List of All U.S. Nuclear Warheads by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy