Soviet-East European Relations as a Problem for the West (1987) analyses the evolution of Eastern Europe both internally and in its relationship with the Soviet Union, the development of relations between the two superpowers, and the equilibrium between the two security systems. It examines how these changes have altered Western policy options, how internal Western frictions, arising from differing interpretations of these developments, can best be managed, and the most appropriate future policies both to achieve Western goals and to benefit Eastern Europe.

This book is originated from the 1985 Rome conference on "Soviet-East European Relations: Implications for the West," which explored the elements of continuity and change, especially the trends in intra-Warsaw Pact relations. It contains revised versions of the papers presented at the conference.

"... lucid and stimulating... " --The New York Times Book Review "Essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the new Eastern Europe and the collapse of Soviet control over it--informative and incisive." --Zbigniew Brzezinski "Gati's book... is the most current and best-informed study of this rapidly changing world.... Professor Gati is uniquely qualified to understand and give perspective to the impact of perestroika and Soviet 'new thinking' on the events in Eastern Europe." --William H. Luers, Former U. S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia "... a superb synthesis of the postwar evolution of Soviet-East European relations and the first up-to-date analysis of the revolutionary events in that part of the world in 1989." --Michael Mandelbaum, Council on Foreign Relations "An up-to-date and lucid overview of the troubled course of Soviet-East European relations at time of momentous change in the Soviet bloc." --Sarah M. Terry "... excellent analysis and synthesis... " --Foreign Affairs "this book is written in a lively style and is a good scholarly synthesis of the post-Second World War evolution of Soviet-East European relations ending in the revolutionary events of 1989." --Canadian Journal of Political Science "... a lively and perceptive account... " --Military Review "Clearly and simply written, this book is particularly useful as a compact introduction to the prehistory and transformation of East European politics." --Choice "It is well organized, readable, and sensitive to complexity; find the time to read it." --History

This volume brings together seven Americans and twenty-six Western Europeans to discuss the role of Western Europe in East-West relations. Although there are a number of books on NATO and on U.S.-West European relations, this is the first whose topic is the conflict between the U.S. and its European Allies over ties with Moscow, as it is affected by the interests and policies of West European countries.

79 concise essays on fifteen topics designed to explore Soviet interests, attitudes, objectives and capabilities and U.S. policy responses.

The future of Europe's east is open. Can the societies of this vast region become more democratic and secure and integrate into the European mainstream? Or are they destined to become failed, fractured lands of grey mired in the stagnation and turbulence historically characteristic of Europe's borderlands? How and why is Russia seeking to influence these developments, and what is the future of Russia itself? How should the West engage?