Geoffrey, Not that I agree with the method Stalin used to create his buffer zone, I do understand the reasoning behind it. I do agree with you that he was not the sole party responsible for the Cold War, much of the fault if not an equal amount lies on our shoulders as well. I believe the fear that set in for the creation of the “firebreak”, as you referred to it as, could have been analyzed in more depth. One reason for this would have been the way Stalin handle the Yugoslavia’s resistance to bow down to the Russia’s will. The president of Yugoslavia during this time, Josip Broz or “Comrade Tito”, as he was known and the Communist Party of Yugoslavia refused to completely comply with Stalin’s ideas and often criticized his decisions. This