This book analyses the expansion of The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) into the post-Soviet space after the end of the Cold War. Based on an extensive analysis of the literature and government documents, including doctrines, statements and speeches by the most influential decision-makers and other actors, it sheds new light on the geopolitical and geostrategic context of the expansion of the military alliance, and assesses its impact on international security relations in Europe. The first chapter introduces readers to the neo-realist approach and develops the methodological basis of the book. The following chapters provide a historical overview of the causes and consequences of two waves of eastward NATO enlargement. Special attention is paid to the annexation of the Crimea and to Russian hybrid-asymmetric warfare. Finally, thirty years after the end of the Cold War, the book notes a disturbing return to militarization in international security relations. To counter this process, the author calls for a reduction of current international tensions and a new policy of détente.

Autorentext
Jan Eichler is a Professor at the Faculty of International Relations, University of Economics in Prague, and a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of International Relations in Prague (Czech Republic). From 1975 to 1993, he served as an officer in the Czechoslovak Armed forces, namely at the Ministry of Defence. He has published 10 monographs and numerous articles in Czech, French, German, Russian, and English.

Inhalt
Introduction: A New bipolarisation of Europe.- The NATO Post-Cold War Enlargement: Realist and Neorealist Approaches.- From Hamburg and Munich to Tallinn and Burgas.- From the War Against Georgia to the Annexation of the Crimea and the Following Increase of Military Tension.- The Growing Militarisation of the Baltic and Black Sea Areas After the End of the Cold War.- American Military Doctrines of the New Generation.- Conclusion: Waiting for a New Gorbachev and for a New Reagan.