Belarus / Jan Zaprudnik and Helen Fedor. Historical setting. Early history ; Belorussia, Poland, and Catholicism ; The partitions of Poland ; Early Belorussian nationalism ; World war and revolution ; Belorussian territory under Poland ; World War II ; Stalin and Russification ; The era of perestroika ; Independent Belarus -- Physical environment. Topography and drainage ; Climate ; Environmental concerns -- Population and ethnic composition -- Language, religion, and culture -- Education, health, and welfare. Education ; Health ; Welfare ; Housing -- The economy. Government policy ; Privatization ; Agriculture ; Industry ; Mining ; Energy ; Labor force ; Banking and finance ; Transportation and telecommunications ; Foreign economic relations -- Government and politics. Prelude to independence ; Problems of democratization ; Government structure ; Political parties ; The media -- Foreign relations. Russia ; United States ; Ukraine ; Poland ; Lithuania ; Latvia -- National security. The armed forces ; The defense industry ; The Commonwealth of Independent States ; Russian troops ; Internal security.

Moldova / William E. Crowther and Helen Fedor. Historical setting. Early history ; The beginning of the Soviet period ; Territorial changes in World War II ; Postwar reestablishment of Soviet control ; Increasing political self-expression ; Secession of Gagauzia and Transnistria ; Independence ; Progress toward political accommodation -- Physical environment. Topography and drainage ; Climate ; Environmental concerns -- Population and ethnic composition -- Language, religion, and culture -- Education, health, and welfare. Education ; Health ; Welfare ; Housing -- The economy. The economy in the Soviet period ; Postindependence privatization and other reforms ; Labor force ; Agriculture ; Industry ; Energy and fuels ; Banking and finance ; Transportation and telecommunications ; Foreign trade -- Government and politics. Governmental system ; Political parties ; The 1990 elections ; Political developments in the wake of the 1990 elections ; Conflict in Transnistria and Gagauzia ; Easing of tensions ; Political realignment ; The 1994 elections and afterward ; Human rights ; The media -- Foreign relations. Commonwealth of Independent States ; Romania ; Russia ; Ukraine ; Turkey ; The West -- National Security. The armed forces ; Internal security ; Crime.