Army War College Publishes New Monograph

The Strategic Studies Institute of the United States Army War College has announced on its web site the publication of a new monograph. Doctors Arkady Moshes and Vitali Silitski co-authored the fifty page report, which is titled "Political Trends in the New Eastern Europe: Ukraine and Belarus."

"Belarus and Russia: Comradeship in Arms in Preempting Democracy," written by Dr. Vitali Silitski, and "Ukraine: Domestic Changes and Foreign Policy Reconfiguration," written by Dr. Arkady Moshes make up the monograph.

Belarus and Ukraine are two of the many countries to gain significant importance in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the ending of the Cold War between the Soviets and the west. This new monograph from the United States Army War College's Strategic Studies Institute, the Army's entity for geostrategic and national security research and analysis, is particularly relevant given the renewed rivalry between Vladimir Putin's Russia and the United States. Belarus, which means "White Russian," has long benefited from Soviet and Russian assistance. As conflict between Belarus and Russia has increased, however, and as Belarus has continued to struggle with the concept of democracy, the former Soviet territory has reached out to the west for new partnerships and for new sources of assistance. According to the monograph, however, western countries are likely to insist on more progress toward democracy and away from Belarus' traditional, dictatorial past. Since the expected reforms are unlikely to materialize, there will probably be some reluctance on the part of western countries to provide any type of aid package.

The Ukraine offers a somewhat different story. While Ukraine was also formerly a part of the Soviet Union, its track record since the fall of the west's adversary in the Cold War has been somewhat better. Ukraine still suffers from serious problems resulting from the sudden, and difficult, transition from Soviet beneficiary, but vast energy resources make the nation an attractive potential partner for the United States and the west. At the same time, however, Ukraine remains of intense interest to the Russian Republic, for the very same energy related reasons. The newly published Army War College monograph seeks, therefore, to provide a "...precise analysis of what has occurred and what is currently happening in Ukraine..." because such an analysis "...is essential to a correct understanding of trends..." and can "...inform sound policymaking."

The Strategic Studies Institute monograph is available for download, free of charge, on the organizational web site for the Army War College's Strategic Studies Institute. The site also solicits, on a voluntary basis, answers for a short survey on the relevance of the content, the writing in the monograph, and the overall quality of the monograph. Additionally, the monograph is available for emailing directly from the site to other individuals who may be interested in the monograph's two reports.

The Strategic Studies Institute regularly publishes monographs and reports as part of its strategic research and analysis in support of the U.S. Army War College. The Institute also provides direct analysis for Army and Department of Defense leadership. All Institue products are authored by individuals with significant expertise and experience in their field. Products produced by the Institute include books, monographs, papers, reports and briefings.

Source: U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute