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 The USAF in Korea: Campaigns, Units, and Stations 1950-1953 - Information on the Ten Combat Campaigns of Korean War, Tactical and Support Organizations, Designated K-Sites, Korean Service Medal by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Complete Guide to Methane Hydrate Energy: Ice that Burns, Natural Gas Production Potential, Effect on Climate Change, Safety, and the Environment, Federal Research and Development Programs by Progressive Management
Cover of the book United States Federal Guidance on Witness Protection in Human Trafficking: Case Management Model and System Comparison, The Importance of Physical Protection for Witness Cooperation by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Effect of Everyday Corruption on the Russian View of Their Political Leadership: Russian Public Opinion and Personalist Autocracy Regime Support of Vladimir Putin Assessed by Unique Survey Data by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Documents: Air Force Criminal Investigations, Technical Surveillance Countermeasures, Counterintelligence, Protective Service Matters - Special Investigations by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Communications in a "Come-As-You-Are" War - FM 24-12 (Value-Added Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Applications in Operational Culture: Perspectives from the Field - Marine Corps Historical Perspective, Iraq, Afghanistan, al-Qaeda, Pashtun Tribes, Iraqi Army, Long Fight in the Long War by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Breaking Through the Tension: The Operational Art of Special Operations in Phase Zero - Special Operations Forces (SOF) During Pre-Crisis Peacetime Conditions, Theory and Doctrine, Framework by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Solar Power and Photovoltaics Research: Basic Research Needs for Solar Energy Utilization, Department of Energy - Solar Electricity, Fuels, Thermal Utilization, Challenges and Assessments by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Documents: Meteorological and Oceanographic Operations (Joint Publication 3-59) - 2012 Version, Collection, Analysis, Prediction, Data Sources by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Are We Prepared? Four WMD Crises That Could Transform U.S. Security: Failed WMD-armed State, Collapse of Nonproliferation Regime, Biological Terror Campaign, Nuclear Detonation in American City by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Improving TSA's Public Image: Customer-Focused Initiatives to Encourage Public Trust and Confidence - Training, Messaging, Wait Times, Social Media, Guestology, Security, Crisis Communications by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Bringing the Future Within Reach: Celebrating 75 Years of the NASA John H. Glenn Research Center - Lewis Center, Jet and Nuclear Propulsion, Wind Tunnels, Liquid Hydrogen, Centaur, Mercury, Apollo by Progressive Management
Cover of the book National Defense Intelligence College Paper: Imperialism With Chinese Characteristics? Reading and Re-Reading China's 2006 Defense White Paper - Chinese Military Expansion, Maoist Policy by Progressive Management
Cover of the book United States Air Force Reserve Handbook: History, Special Operations, Aircraft, UAV, Visionary Leaders and Historic Reservists, Jimmy Doolittle, Jimmy Stewart, Jackie Cochran 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