The rise of the Polish army elite had a profound effect on the Communist Party. Many current changes stem from the tougher attitudes the Polish military under Jarulzelski took toward Solidarity. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Ouimet argues that the now-famous reforms of Soviet bloc policy of the mid-1980s were not the instigation, but rather the climax of a fundamental transformation in Soviet policy toward Eastern Europe that had its origins in the Brezhnev era.
This major comparative study examines the challenges that the countries of postcommunist Central and Eastern Europe have faced in securing democratic control of their armed forces and establishing civilian control of defence policy. This book explores how the interaction of the common challenges of postcommunism and the diverse circumstances of individual countries shape civil-military relations in this changing region. Detailed country case studies, written by leading experts, compare the experiences of the Central European states (such as Poland and Romania), the Baltic republics, the former Yugoslavia republics, Russia and Ukraine.
General W?adys?aw Sikorski was the Head of the wartime Polish Government and Polish Commander-in-Chief, 1939-1943. Sikorski rose to prominence in Poland between 1910 and 1918 as part of the movement towards Polish independence, achieved in 1918. In 1920 Sikorski was largely responsible for the defeat of the Red Army. In 1926 he fell from favor following a military coup. During this fallow period, 1926-1939, Sikorski traveled, mainly in France. He also wrote influential military-science treatises. In September 1939 Germany and the Soviet Union invaded and annexed Poland. Sikorski, his military offices refused by the Polish Government, fled to Romania. There he was intercepted by the French ambassador to Poland and taken to Paris where he established a Polish Government-in-Exile and rebuilt the Polish Army. In May 1940 France was overrun by Germany. Sikorski removed himself and his government to London. There he began to re-build the Polish army largely lost in France. Following the German invasion of the Soviet Union, Sikorski was forced by the British Government to accept the Soviets as allies. This led to a larger Polish army being formed in the Soviet Union and sent to the Middle East, commanded by General Anders who was to become a thorn in Sikorski’s side. By 1943, the two men were clearly enemies. Sikorski died in an air crash off Gibraltar. The cause has never been satisfactory established.
The armed forces of Europe have undergone a dramatic transformation since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Handbook of European Defence Policies and Armed Forces provides the first comprehensive analysis of national security and defence policies, strategies, doctrines, capabilities, and military operations, as well as the alliances and partnerships of European armed forces in response to the security challenges Europe has faced since the end of the cold war. A truly cross-European comparison of the evolution of national defence policies and armed forces remains a notable blind spot in the existing literature. The Handbook of European Defence Policies and Armed Forces aims to fill this gap with fifty-one contributions on European defence and international security from around the world. The six parts focus on: country-based assessments of the evolution of the national defence policies of Europe's major, medium, and lesser powers since the end of the cold war; the alliances and security partnerships developed by European states to cooperate in the provision of national security; the security challenges faced by European states and their armed forces, ranging from interstate through intra-state and transnational; the national security strategies and doctrines developed in response to these challenges; the military capabilities, and the underlying defence and technological industrial base, brought to bear to support national strategies and doctrines; and, finally, the national or multilateral military operations by European armed forces. The contributions to The Handbook collectively demonstrate the fruitfulness of giving analytical precedence back to the comparative study of national defence policies and armed forces across Europe.
This major comparative study examines the development of military-society relations in central and eastern Europe since the collapse of communism. Soldiers and Societies in Post-Communist Europe explores how the interaction of the common challenges of postcommunism and the diverse circumstances of individual countries are shaping patterns of military-society relations in this changing region. Detailed country case studies, written by international experts to a common analytical framework, compare the experiences of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Yugoslavia and Ukraine.
Offers an account of the key role of Polish student movements in the rebirth of their country. It provides a history of student activism in Poland and explains the context in which recent changes have occurred.
An authoritative, up-to-date examination of the national security and defense policies of 50 influential nations and regions across the globe. Defense and Security: A Compendium of National Armed Forces and Security Policies presents highly readable, authoritative essays profiling the defense and security policies of over 50 individual countries and regions, with a focus on present-day developments. Written by leading national and international scholars and edited by eminent political science experts Karl DeRouen and Uk Heo, the essays take an in-depth look at each nation's current security situation, defense spending, present and potential military confrontations, civil–military relations, alliances, relations to terrorism, and other topics of importance. Historical events and conflicts are highlighted as well, with emphasis on the post–Cold War era. The essays are parallel in structure, allowing readers to pinpoint similarities and draw comparisons among nations. The two-volume set also includes a detailed introduction featuring a cross-national comparison.
Do middle powers matter geopolitically to great powers when confronting the unconventional, twenty-first-century threats from nation-states or nonstate actors? Bridging the European Divide explores how key regional middle powers perceived and advocated their political power options in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.
Located between the former Soviet Union and eastern Germany, Poland has the potential to become a political and economic bridge between the East and West. It is crucial to European security and stabilization; yet the list of reference books on recent Polish history is very short. This book fills that gap, providing information on Polish political, economic, and cultural history since 1945.