The withdrawal of Soviet troops is a so far largely unresearched process of international political and military reorganization after 1989/90, which was accompanied by political, economic, social and geopolitical factors that had different effects in different nations. The anthology contains national studies that examine the withdrawal from a scientific perspective. But it also analyses the international conditions that led to the geopolitical reorganization and reduction of weapons. In addition to the country studies, the reforms and the collapse of the Soviet empire are examined from a military-political perspective in order to make the conditions for returning home understandable. Finally, the legacy of the retreat is also considered in the light of current policies and the current threats to the countries of East Central Europe from the increasing aggression in this geopolitical space.

Christoph Meißner is research associate at the German-Russian Museum Berlin-Karlshorst.