[Nowhere Man]

We just simplistically assumed that with the fall of the Soviet Union, we would all live happily ever after.

It seems like we all got caught up in that for a while. In some ways, I think we are worse off now than then, for some reason, I cannot imagine something like a 9-11 happening during the Cold War with the exception of a few nuts acting alone. Yes there was terrorism even then, but the nations that sponsored them generally fell into the Soviet orbit and the Soviets did hold a tighter rein on them where if they strayed, Moscow would cut the aid pipeline to them. Of course if your a citizen of Poland or any other Eastern European nation, you would find disagreement with my take on things which I do understand, so that is one bright spot out of all of this.

[lucysmom]

Yes there was terrorism even then, but the nations that sponsored them generally fell into the Soviet orbit and the Soviets did hold a tighter rein on them where if they strayed, Moscow would cut the aid pipeline to them.

Saudi Arabia, where most of our 911 terrorists came from, has been within our orbit ever since I can remember. And, of course, we supported anti-Soviet factions in Afghanistan.

As the saying goes, "Be careful what you wish for."