Cold War Historical Overview

Late 1990 and early 1991: Washington turns its focus toward the Gulf after Iraq invades Kuwait. Gorbachev becomes increasingly concerned about separatist movements and gives the head of the KGB permission to proceed violently. 1991: Gorbachev asks capitalist countries for huge loans. They say no. January 12-13, 1991: Soviet troops enter Lithuania to take back property … [Read more...] about The End of the Cold War: 1991-Gorbachev Resigns

1990 was an event filled year, culminating in the unification of East and West Germany, and the eastward expansion of NATO. Some of you may have been following the debate between those who feel Putin was threatened by NATO's expansion and those who say the enlargement of NATO served as a deterrence to Putin's ambitions. An argument in favor of further NATO expansion was … [Read more...] about The End of the Cold War (1990): The Last Days of the USSR

I’ve just finished reading Missing by Thomas Hauser.  First published in 1978, the book tells the gripping story of Charles Horman, a young American who disappeared shortly after Chile’s successful military coup on September 11, 1973. With CIA involvement, General Augusto Pinochet came to power, soon ordering the mass arrest of thousands of leftist dissidents and other … [Read more...] about Military Juntas in the Southern Cone During the Cold War

Do you enjoy solving crossword puzzles? If so this week's post should be right up your alley. It's my first attempt to create a puzzle for you. Here's just a taste of the clues. Just click on the link below to start the puzzle. You'll find the clues below the puzzle. Or you can download a pdf here. Want the answers? Click here for the key. PS: For some … [Read more...] about Crossword: Cold War Essentials

The 2022 Olympics will officially begin in Beijing on Friday, February 4. Interestingly, China's record on human rights has led to calls for countries and sponsors to boycott the games.  Such abuses as the repression of Uyghur Muslims in the nation's Xinjiang region and the suppression of pro democracy protests in Hong Kong have, in fact, led several countries to announce a … [Read more...] about O is for Olympic Boycott 1980