Janusz Bugajski Books

Without a realistic prospect for NATO and EU accession, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and Georgia will become sources of domestic and regional instability and objects of Russia's neo-imperialist ambitions that will undermine American and European strategic interests. The new members of NATO and the EU have sought to develop credible policies for consolidating democratic reforms among their eastern neighbors, enhancing their prospects for inclusion in NATO and the EU, and containing a resurgent and assertive Russia. The new European democracies have also endeavored to more closely involve Washington in the process of Euro-Atlantic enlargement as a more effective Eastern Dimension jointly pursued by the U.S., NATO, and the EU would significantly consolidate trans-Atlantic security

Russia's invasion, occupation, and partition of Georgia in August 2008 initially sent shock waves throughout Europe and NATO and appeared to signal a new confrontational phase in Moscow s relations with the West. This volume places the conflict in the context of Russia's broader objectives, its internal weaknesses, the limitations of EU and NATO policies, and America s security priorities. First, the Georgian conflict underscored Moscow's determination to reclaim an extensive zone of dominance corresponding with the former Soviet territories. Second, it displayed a shrewd calculation by the Kremlin about the fractured and ineffective Western response, and Moscow continues to test the Obama administration's rapprochement in pursuing its expansionist ambitions. Third, the 2008 conflict had a lasting impact on the Central-East European and post-Soviet states most exposed to pressures from Moscow. While the former demanded more tangible security guarantees from NATO, the latter either sought accommodation with Russia or intensified their protective strategies. Additionally, beneath the veneer of success, the conduct of the war, the economic recession, escalating separatist sentiments, and faltering attempts by Moscow to make the country more globally competitive revealed Russia's long-term weaknesses in the midst of its attempted neo-imperial restoration. The study concludes with succinct recommendations on how the transatlantic alliance can more effectively handle Russian ambitions and prepare itself to deter or manage future crises

In 2004, the European Union and NATO welcomed Central-East European (CEE) nations into their ranks, affirming the political and economic progress made during 15 years of post-communist transition. As they blend into the EU and NATO, these CEE states are likely to be drawn closer to both Brussels and Washington—but for different reasons. In order to understand the objectives of America's new allies and help develop effective U.S. policies, this study charts the evolution of relations between Washington and the CEE states in the context of EU and NATO enlargement. It argues that Washington has an opportunity to strengthen its ties with the CEE states and rebuild productive problem-solving relations with the EU and the NATO alliance as a whole, but the window of opportunity may be closing.For the United States to develop its new alliances, policymakers must be attuned to the foreign policy goals of CEE states, their regional objectives and threat perceptions, and the views of their citizens and diverse political elites. At the same time, these new democracies can offer Washington cooperation and support on a range of security issues that will strengthen the transatlantic link. The United States will benefit from having credible and reliable EU partners. And the CEE states will benefit from having the world's sole global power as a steady and predictable ally.

If Russia veers toward instability or a more severe dictatorship under President Vladimir Putin, the threat to its neighbours could be severe. Such a scenario would also present serious challenges for European integration and derail the process of rapprochement with the United States. To understand Russia's unsteady evolution, the Council on Foreign Relations organized an innovative international conference with analysts from the new democracies of Central and Eastern Europe.

The book offers a systematic analysis of Russia's post-Cold War imperialism under President Vladimir Putin, highlighting the regime's strategic efforts to regain influence over former Soviet satellites and counter Western encroachment. It argues against the notion of Russia as a cooperative power, instead portraying Moscow's ambitions to reestablish itself as a dominant force in Eurasia. The author critiques the modern-day equivalent of Cold War appeasement, emphasizing the need to recognize the aggressive nature of Russia's geopolitical maneuvers.