ABSTRACT
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the entire Eastern bloc between 1989 and 1991, just about the only certainty with regard to Poland was its geopolitical position. In many respects Poland was in a paradoxical situation. Although the country was now free from Soviet tutelage, its room for manoeuvre was constricted by its lack of capability in various fields such as the economy, finance and technological development. In theory, Poland now had freedom of choice in determining the contours of its foreign policy and alliance strategy. As we shall see, the choices made were in reality consequent upon past experience and (perception of) contemporary realities.
