Introduction

Maxim Zmeyev/Reuters

On Dec. 25, 1991, the red Soviet flag was lowered for the last time over the Kremlin and the Russian tri-color flag was raised. The Soviet Union and communism had collapsed officially, and 15 independent states arose in its place. The Cold War was over.

In the 25 years that have passed since that day, what opportunities to redefine world order were missed by the United States?