Quote:
Originally Posted by Onkel Neal
If you were a citizen in a former Russian-controlled country, you might have a better idea why they wanted to join NATO.
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I completely understand that and agree with you, Neal. However, as I said, If the Soviet Union had been dissolved, then were they fundamentally not a threat. Certainly, I understand Russia still maintained a vast war machine. I think with economic cooperation and integration of the former Eastern European countries, there may well have been a bit more stability. We don't trust Russia and for good reason. I'm sure Russia doesn't trust us either. I think we and Russia missed a great opportunity to build on the trust initiated by Reagan, Thatcher and Gorbachev.
I know how much those countries suffered under the control of the Soviet Union. I just think there may have been a better way that may have been a stabilizing factor in Eastern Europe.