I'm reminded of during Bush Sr.'s term, the UK and French governments were about as receptive to a united Germany as Tennessee is to funding schools. Partly traditional historical Anglo-Franco belief that a united Germany threatened their domination of the continent, it was also a reaction still from WW2 (true on Thatcher's part especially) and not wanting to repeat that. Of sure both governments publicly said they were for a peaceful German unification, because like that was ever gonna happen. Right?

Opps. None the less, Bush twisted arms and got both governments to relent. He also lied through his teeth to Gorbachev in promising that if Germany united and joined NATO, that alliance wouldn't allow anymore members east of Germany. Gorbachev has bitched about that "betrayal" subsequently, but Bush was right. How can you prevent newly democratic governments in Eastern Europe, who by Moscow's choice were subjegated into puppet states or wholly absorbed into Soviet political union against their will, from joining NATO if they so desired? Which they did.

Bush at the time of the USSR's dissolution was criticized for being too reserved publicly regarding it. What nonsense. He and his administration were terrified that a bloody civil war would erupt that would surely spread beyond Russia, and worse what of the nuclear stockpiles that would be at risk of being captured by unsavory elements? He was right to not wave the flag of victory or stick up a banner saying MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.