ABSTRACT
All the countries of eastern Europe have entered the post-Communist era with fragile democratic systems and facing serious economic problems. The collapse of the Soviet bloc has released previously submerged national ambitions and led to the formulation of novel foreign policies among all the east European states. Political leaders searching for popular support, in the midst of often severe social and economic disruption, may seek to capitalize on nationalist feelings and exploit the presence of minority scapegoats. The decentralization, disintegration, or re-centralization of the post-USSR will also have an immense impact on several east European countries. With the collapse of east European Communism, attempts have been made to devise a common security policy in the region. The disappearance of the Warsaw Pact and the restructuring or scaling down of North Atlantic Treaty Organization necessitates an all-encompassing security umbrella to help resolve damaging conflicts and to regulate inter-state relations.
