This is both an ambitious and a necessary volume. It is vastly more than a regional study, though the contributors seek to provide a comprehensive and probing assessment of developments in a politically and strategically crucial area. In an attempt to conduct what, in effect, is a 360° examination, with the benefit of being able to look at two decades of transition, this collective work also transcends the false dichotomy between area and comparative studies. Moreover, it is not bound by the old regional geographical limitations that had defined what was called “Eastern Europe.” Going beyond historical analysis, both regional and country-specific, this volume thus evaluates overarching issues within a larger analytical context as well as particular political, economic, and cultural factors. In a sense, this effort entails a melding of theory and considerations of practical developments. As such, the dynamic analysis that the editor invited and the contributors produced gives us not only a better opportunity to understand causality, but also a chance to search for patterns and divine lessons.

Drawing lessons though, is both difficult and risky. It is also tempting to see patterns and conclude that our social science tools will allow us to identify them with a high degree of confidence. These social science tools, however, proved rather inadequate during the Cold War (certainly when it came to prediction) and though we have a far greater degree of transparency in the region, it would be prudent to exercise considerable skepticism and perhaps speak more about trends or tendencies.