Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus: Allies in Waiting
Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs David A. Merkel considers the ways in which the United States can encourage progress in Europe’s eastern neighborhood absent a realistic open door to NATO or the European Union. In the early decades of the 21st Century, the continuing strategic importance of Central Europe cannot be overstated or denied. European stability and prosperity has extended to the former Eastern bloc countries due to the vision, courage and perseverance of leaders and ordinary citizens. However, the dream of a Europe whole, free and at peace remains unfinished business until countries like Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus find their place in a common European home. The global and regional situation has changed since President Bill Clinton, spurred by the U.S. Congress, began the process of NATO enlargement. Continued and expanded by President George W. Bush, NATO grew to include former Warsaw Pact members and the European Union (...