The New Cold War in the Post-Socialist Era- Domination through Multi-Dependency in Lithuania

Have we entered the era of a new form of Cold War? This book shows thatimperialistic tendencies need not only take the form of overt military aggression.Giedraitis crosses disciplinary boundaries to take a fresh look at themultiple ways that post-socialist Russia is exercising geopolitical dominationover its former occupied territories. On the front lines of this newbattleground are the Baltic countries of Lithuania Latvia and Estonia. Due toWestern Europe's addiction to Russian oil what happens in Lithuania - thefocus of this work - could have far reaching consequences for the rest ofEurope's energy supplies - and their economies.Supported by interviews and quantitative data the dangers of three types ofdependency relations - political economic and energy - are explored. Giedraitisillustrates Lithuania's precarious balance between the new Westernopportunities of the European Union and NATO and threats from theirformer occupier to the East.This book is intended for those interested in neo-colonial dependency relationsin post-socialist countries such as the Baltics. Russia has massivemineral reserves and fuel-hungry economies surrounding it. Is its aim only tosell energy at market values? Is evidence of Russian political disruption inLithuania chance or does Russia have ulterior motives? Giedraitis analyzesthese questions and proposes some sobering answers.