(Bonus) The post–Cold War era is a period of history that follows the end of the Cold War), which represents history after the dissolution of the Soviet Union) in December 1991. This period saw many former Soviet republics) become sovereign) nations, as well as the introduction of market economies) in eastern Europe). This period also marked the United States) becoming the world's sole superpower).
Relatively to the Cold War, the period is characterized by stabilization and disarmament. Both the United States and Russia significantly reduced their nuclear stockpiles). The former Eastern Bloc) became democratic and was integrated into world economy. Most of former Soviet satellites and three former Baltic Republics were integrated into the European Union) and NATO). In the first two decades of the period, NATO underwent three series of enlargement) and France reintegrated into the NATO command).
