The 15 states of the former Soviet fall into three broad categories, largely defined by fault lines of history and culture.
About the Author
Zbigniew Brzezinski, U.S. national security advisor during the Carter administration, is professor of U.S. foreign policy at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of Johns Hopkins University and counselor to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The real danger in East-Central Europe comes not from populist ideology or attempts to subvert democracy, but rather from the manipulation of democratic procedures by those in power.
One of the most striking and unexpected features of the recent demonstrations in Russia was the partnership of liberals and nationalists in the ranks of the protesters.