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 Angola in Perspective: Orientation Guide and Portuguese Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Society, Security, Military, Religion, Traditions, Luanda, Huambo, Benguela, Cabinda, Lobito by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Libya's Nuclear Disarmament: Lessons and Implications for Nuclear Proliferation by Progressive Management
Cover of the book A Century of Misunderstanding: The History of the Development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Understanding in the United States Military - World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Revolutionary War (War of American Independence): United States Army and the Forging of a Nation, from Colonial Militia to the Continental Army in the American Revolution, Valley Forge, Yorktown by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Multiservice Procedures for the Theater Air-Ground System TAGS Field Manual - FM 100-103-2 (Value-Added Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Apollo and America's Moon Landing Program - Oral Histories of Managers, Engineers, and Workers (Set 5) - including Edward Pavelka, William Reeves, Robert Seamans, and Joseph Shea by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Project Gemini Technology and Operations: A Chronology - Comprehensive Official History of the Pioneering Two-Man Missions Paving the Way for the Apollo Moon Landings (NASA SP-4002) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Rockets and People, Volume II: Creating a Rocket Industry - Memoirs of Russian Space Pioneer Boris Chertok, Sputnik, Moon, Mars, Launch Pad Disasters, ICBMs (NASA SP-2005-4110) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Essential Guide to the Military Equipment of North Korea: Illustrated Guide to North Korean Weapons including Artillery, Tanks, Airplanes, Armored Vehicles, Helicopters, Ships by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Libya in Perspective: Orientation Guide and Libyan Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Security, Tripoli, Benghazi, Gaddafi, Qadhafi, Tuareg, Fezzan, Al-Khufrah, Sanusi, Pariah State by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Images of Inherited War: Three American Presidents in Vietnam - Unique History, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Camelot, Containment, Cam Ranh Bay, Posse of Lies, Space Program, New Myth for an Old War by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Strategic Air War Against Germany and Japan: A Memoir - Integrating Strategy, Air Doctrine, Plans, Early Operations, German Electric Power Complex as a Target System by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century FEMA Study Course: National Incident Management System (NIMS) Resource Management (IS-703.a) - Scenarios, Complex Incidents, Planning, Readiness by Progressive Management
Cover of the book U.S. Navy Arctic Roadmap 2014: 2030: American National Interests, Evolving Arctic Region Security Environment, Navy Roles and Missions, Alaska, Climate Change and Loss of Arctic Sea Ice by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Delegitimizing al-Qaeda: A Jihad-Realist Approach - Salafist, Sharia, Takfir 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