Condemned to Repetition?

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The book explores the contrasting use of force by the Soviet Union in different historical contexts, particularly between the late 1980s and earlier interventions like in Angola. It analyzes how Soviet leaders adapted their strategies based on lessons learned from past conflicts, such as Vietnam and Afghanistan. Interviews and declassified documents reveal the evolving preferences among officials, leading to a withdrawal from regional conflicts and a fear-driven resurgence of interventionist policies, exemplified by the 1994 invasion of Chechnya. The work highlights the influence of competing ideologies within Soviet leadership during this transformative period.