It is becoming increasingly obvious
that decisions made by the end of the Cold War still shape the international situation. Since there is not much optimism about the current state of affairs in the world, there are many discussions as to whether politicians missed some rare chances at that time. In its actions toward Gorbachev in 1989-1991, the U.S.
administration was guided by the rule “Give nothing, take everything, demand more.”
Today, thirty years after the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, one can state that the OSCE has not become – and will now hardly become – a major factor in building a European security system. This organization needs modernization that would suit all the participating nations.
The former Cold War enemies are still more preoccupied with a tug-of-war between themselves than with combating the new threats. How many more times will we repeat the same mistakes in choosing our priorities?
The world is becoming less and less governable as globalization is superimposed on another tectonic historical shift, the disintegration of the former system of international relations. If humankind is to meet the challenges of the 21st century, it must develop a universal code of behavior.
It is becoming increasingly obvious
that decisions made by the end of the Cold War still shape the international situation. Since there is not much optimism about the current state of affairs in the world, there are many discussions as to whether politicians missed some rare chances at that time. In its actions toward Gorbachev in 1989-1991, the U.S.
administration was guided by the rule “Give nothing, take everything, demand more.”
Today, thirty years after the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, one can state that the OSCE has not become – and will now hardly become – a major factor in building a European security system. This organization needs modernization that would suit all the participating nations.
The former Cold War enemies are still more preoccupied with a tug-of-war between themselves than with combating the new threats. How many more times will we repeat the same mistakes in choosing our priorities?
The world is becoming less and less governable as globalization is superimposed on another tectonic historical shift, the disintegration of the former system of international relations. If humankind is to meet the challenges of the 21st century, it must develop a universal code of behavior.
When the Baltic countries entered NATO and the European Union a couple of years ago, many thought it was the end of the centuries-old "red line." Euro-Atlantic organizations had crossed into the former Russian and Soviet empires.
In September 2004, the Russian city of Novgorod hosted an international conference entitled Russia at the Turn of the Century: Hopes and Reality. Its organizers were the RIA Novosti news agency, the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, Russia in Global Affairs, and The Moscow Times.