The Balkans in the Cold War

The Balkan region, positioned on the fault line between two competing Cold War ideological and military alliances, offers a unique case study of the global Cold War system. This book explores the origins, unfolding, and impact of the Cold War on the Balkans, while also emphasizing the importance of regional realities and pressures. Fifteen contributors from various disciplines address complex issues such as the Balkans' role in creating the Cold War order, military alliances, uneasy relations with the Superpowers, Balkan dilemmas in the 1970s and 1980s, and the role of the European Economic Community. The book's extensive multi-archival research in regional and American, ex-Soviet, and Western European archives contributes to its unique contribution to the scholarship of the Cold War.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 371 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2022
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Positioned on the fault line between two competing Cold War ideological and military alliances, and entangled in ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity, the Balkan region offers a particularly interesting case for the study of the global Cold War system. This book explores the origins, unfolding, and impact of the Cold War on the Balkans on the one hand, and the importance of regional realities and pressures on the other. Fifteen contributors from history, international relations, and political science address a series of complex issues rarely covered in one volume, namely the Balkans and the creation of the Cold War order; military alliances and the Balkans; uneasy relations with the Superpowers; Balkan dilemmas in the 1970s and 1980s and the "significant other" – the EEC; and identity, culture, and ideology. The book's particular contribution to the scholarship of the Cold War is that it draws on extensive multi-archival research of both regional and American, ex-Soviet, and Western European archives.

The Balkan region, situated at the intersection of two rival Cold War ideological and military alliances, presents a captivating case study for examining the global Cold War system. This book delves into the origins, progression, and consequences of the Cold War in the Balkans, while also highlighting the significance of regional factors and pressures. Fifteen esteemed contributors from the fields of history, international relations, and political science address a diverse range of complex topics, including the Balkans' role in shaping the Cold War order, the dynamics of military alliances in the region, the uneasy relations with the Superpowers, the dilemmas faced by the Balkans in the 1970s and 1980s, and the role of the European Economic Community (EEC) as a "significant other."

What sets this book apart is its extensive reliance on multi-archival research, encompassing regional and American, ex-Soviet, and Western European archives. This comprehensive approach provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the historical events and dynamics that shaped the Balkan region during the Cold War era.

The contributors to this book offer insightful perspectives and analytical frameworks that shed light on the complex interplay of ideologies, power dynamics, and regional identities in the Balkans. They explore the ways in which the Cold War influenced the political, social, and economic landscapes of the region, as well as the impact of external interventions and alliances on local conflicts and dynamics.

The book's chapters are organized in a logical and accessible manner, making it an invaluable resource for students, scholars, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the Cold War in the Balkans. It provides a comprehensive overview of the region's history, while also offering valuable insights into the broader global context of the Cold War.

In conclusion, the Balkan region serves as a unique and fascinating case study for examining the global Cold War system. This book offers a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to understanding the origins, unfolding, and impact of the Cold War on the Balkans, while also highlighting the importance of regional realities and pressures. Through extensive multi-archival research and insightful contributions from experts in the field, this book provides valuable insights into the complex web of events that shaped the region during the Cold War era. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of this critical period in world history.

Weight: 521g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781349683802
Edition number: 1st ed. 2017