[Mohoender]

With the change in Moscow, history in Eastern Europe takes a slightly different path. Elections in Albania effectively brings a pro-western government to power but these held in Bulgaria confirms the Communists to office. Then, on May 7, Bulgarian leaders meet with representatives from the “Union of Soviet Sovereign Republics” at Tashkent and establish the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO). It comes into existense in the mist of the Crimean Crisis that started on May 5 when Crimea, declaring independence from Ukraine, asked for support. On May 9, Moscow answer the call and Russian units move across the Kerch Strait. Ten days later, on May 19, Crimea joins the U.S.S.R. Ukraine, faced with a growing economic crisis (resulting from loose monetary policies) and with its army in the middle of a deep reorganization, is unable to take any real action. A month later, when the South Ossetia War ends and as the War in Abkhazia begins Moscow pushes its advantage again and recognizes the independence of these two regions. Before years end, Abkhazia and South Ossetia are merged with USSR again..

Following these events, President Lukyanov declares publicly that the USSR refuses to assume any longer the former Soviet debt, stating that it grew as a result of the insane policy conducted by Gorbachev. This decision slightly hampers Lukyanov’s efforts but, after two years of recession, Russian industrial output and GDP slowly improve again allowing for the Kremlin to expend the aid it grants to foreign powers, further tipping the balance in various areas. Najibullah’s regime of Afghanistan finally inflicts a number of decisive defeats to the Mujahideen and regain control over a majority of the country. Mongolia experiences a fast recovery under the communist party and, before year’s end, Ulan Bator is a member of the CSTO. The Sandinistas of Nicaragua are now pushing their advantage toward an increasingly weakened Contras which has lost all US support. Cuba accelerate its forces modernization. In Venezuela, the February 1992 coup, led by Hugo Chávez, overthrows President Carlos Andrés Pérez. Military units seize a number of large cities (Valencia, Maracaibo and Maracay) while other troops take position in Caracas and intercept Pérez as the President is returning from an overseas trip. Pérez is taken into custody and Chavez broadcast a tape calling for general uprising. Following it, everywhere in the country, crowds demonstrate in favor of the coup and, in a matter of 24 hours, most of the army rally behind the Putchists. In March, Hugo Chavez is elected President with a large majority but, implementing a policy inspired by socialism, he is soon pointed out as a threat to democracy by US officials. Quickly, the new regime places hope into USSR for political and military support.

In the Balkan region, Bosnia demands that Yugoslavian federal troops withdraw from the province, a request which the Serbian-dominated central government refuses. In addition, minor, non violent, incidents take place in southern Albania between the Greek population, Albanians and Albanian authorities. Toward mid-year, the Serbs are besieging Sarajevo and what is known as the Yugoslavian War enters a new stage. Soon after, the UN gets involved in Bosnia-Herzegovina when the security council approves Resolution 743 to send a UNPROFOR peacekeeping force to Yugoslavia. However, later in the year, USSR refuses an extension of this force mandate.

As these new tensions rise, the Politburo generates more efforts to bring the Soviet Naval Forces to their planned strength. Work on the “Varyag” has ceased and two Slava-class cruisers remain the last capital ships under construction. Neverhteless, the four Kiev-class Carrier-cruisers are transferred to the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk (Arkhangelsk Oblast) where they should be refitted. Still more Sovremennyy-class and Udaloy-class destroyers are laid down while designs of new frigates are coming out of the drawing boards. Discussions also begin on a new START treaty that is aimed at banning the use of MIRV and the historic agreement is reached on June 17 with the singing of a “Joint Agreement” by Bush and Lukyanov.

In Western Europe, the Maastricht treaty is signed, founding the European Union. Then, by mid-year, Slovakian separatists have gained enough seats in parliamentary elections to force the division of the country into two sovereign states: Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, ETA in Spain and IRA in Northern Ireland, adopt a more radical path and the number of attacks increase. In Italy, investigations are carried out on Democrazia Cristiana and uncover endemic corruption practices at the highest level. This is starting a series of scandals that quickly undermine the Italian leading party. Meanwhile, in the Middle-East the situation remain tense as Iraq continues to deny access to the UN inspection teams to several of its military complexes. In addition, the Kurds are becoming increasingly active in both Iraq and Turkey, their guerrillas often seeking sanctuary in the UN protected northern third of Iraq when needed.

As it occurs, in the United States, G.W. Bush looses the presidential elections to Bill Clinton. The situation has evolved, the economy is in a recession and Bush's perceived greatest strength, foreign policy, is regarded as much less important following the signing of the various arms control treaties, the continuing commercial opening of the Soviet Union and the defeat of Iraq in the Gulf War. Nevertheless, before the end of his mandate, George H.W. Bush achieves further successes by signing the START II treaty with Lukyanov on January 3, 1993 while getting the UN security council to approve resolution 794 concerning Somalia. As a result, UN peacekeapers led by the US form the UNITAF and, on december 4, US military forces land in Somalia.