On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell: 35 years later, Russian imperial revanchism again threatens the security of not only Europe, but the entire world

On November 9, 1989, the fall of the Berlin Wall seemed to symbolize the end of the Cold War and the promise of a stable future for Europe. However, 35 years later, dreams of peace remain an illusion. Russia's aggressive imperial revanchism and disregard for international norms threaten the security of Europe and other regions of the world.

Russian aggression in Ukraine, more than ever, highlights the crisis of an international system that is unable to contain states that ignore international law. Failure to comply with international norms not only threatens Europe, but also provokes other countries to act similarly.

As Russia continues to try to expand its influence in Europe, the number of conflicts in the Middle East and Africa is also increasing. BBC emphasizes that “Russian imperial revanchism threatens the security of not only Europe, but the entire world”.

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 symbolized the end of many years of confrontation between East and West. When Germany was fully reunified on October 3, 1990, the world breathed a sigh of relief, hoping for an era of stability. However, decades later, the spirit of the Cold War, as indicated by BBCis returning in the form of a new Russian revanchism, which is also manifested in the inability to respect the borders of other states. This poses “serious threats to European and global security.”

Warsaw Pact and German unification

Historically, the Warsaw Pact, which lasted until February 1991, kept Eastern European countries under Soviet control. With the collapse of this structure, space opened up for more democratic reforms and the entry of Eastern European countries into the European Union. At the same time, the USSR began to lose control over its former allies, which led to a weakening of its influence in Europe. Today Russia is seeking to regain that control, as events in Ukraine have shown.

Collapse of the USSR: prerequisites and consequences

The processes set in motion by the collapse of the communist system changed the world balance. In 1991, amid protests and independence movements, the three Baltic republics announced their secession from the USSR. This was followed by the signing of the Bialowieza Agreement between Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, which ended the existence of the Union. According to BBCmany experts point out that this agreement not only determined the future of these countries, but also opened the door to new challenges that the world now faces.

A new round of authoritarianism and Russian ambitions

Today Russia is trying to regain its position in the international arena, using revanchist methods similar to the policies of the USSR. In the context of the invasion of Ukraine, this issue has become acute. Contemporary threats include militarization and disregard for the sovereignty of other states. This is evident not only in Europe, but also in regions with less stable security, such as the Middle East and Africa.

Quote from BBC: “Russia does not respect international law, and its actions undermine the foundations of the post-Cold War world order.”.

Lessons from German unification for the modern world

The unification of Germany in 1990 led to the transition of the eastern lands under Western control, which was a symbol of the completion of the division of Europe into zones of influence. This event also paved the way for the enlargement of the European Union, which had a positive impact on the economic growth of the region. It is important to note that the democratization of Eastern Europe was made possible thanks to the openness of the West and the support of post-communist countries.

However, today the political realities in Europe have changed. Threats posed by Russia are forcing Western countries to reconsider open border policies and return to strict controls. This led to new “walls” on the EU borders and tougher migration policies.

Israeli experience: responding to security threats

Examples of the Israeli experience can serve as useful lessons for European countries in the current environment. Israel, with its strict security measures, knows well how to manage potential threats and migration flows in conflict situations. Europe could use approaches taken in Israel to develop new security measures and protect its borders from external threats.

The Israeli strategy allows the country not only to protect its borders, but also to develop international cooperation. This can serve as a model for the West in the face of Russian aggression.

Post-communist countries: a difficult path of reform

For post-Soviet countries, the transition to a market economy was accompanied by significant difficulties. For example, Estonia and Hungary, after leaving Soviet influence, were able to reach the level of a private sector providing up to 80% of GDP, while the economy of Turkmenistan remained at 25%. As noted BBCthe economic success of each country depended on the nature of the reforms and the depth of changes.

Quote from BBC: “The less government intervention in the economy, the higher the chances of recovery and economic growth.”

Return to the “wall” on the border of Europe

The threat of revanchism forced European countries to think again about their borders. Amid instability in Africa and the Middle East, the EU has introduced new measures, including the construction of barriers, especially on its eastern borders. In light of the threat from Russia, this becomes a necessity. Europe, as the experience of recent years shows, is again erecting barriers that should contain external threats.

Conclusion: Europe faces a new threat

More than 30 years have passed since the reunification of Germany, but the world is once again facing threats reminiscent of the Cold War. As noted NAnewsdisregard for international law and Russian ambitions create dangerous precedents. Against the backdrop of growing conflicts, the world community must learn from the lessons of the past in order to confront the challenges posed by modern Russian policies.

Repeated violations of international law put the entire world at risk, which is why it is so important to remember the events that led to the end of the Cold War and how they may affect the future.

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