Introduction

The turn of the 1990s, once hailed as the ‘end of history’, is now viewed as a transitional phase rather than a final act. Reflecting this paradigm shift, this special issue offers fresh insights into the military and strategic aftermath of the Cold War’s end, delineating changes and continuities, and discerning the patterns and processes leading to what is now often termed the ‘return of history’. It also emphasizes the expansion in the availability of archival documents and other relevant materials to scholars, including interviews with key figures and lesser-known actors.