Bridges, Not Bombs: A Witness Within Eastern Europe’s Rebirth

 When the Berlin Wall crumbled, the world cheered—but what came next was far more complex. Eastern Europe did not simply “open”; it unraveled. Broken economies, fragile democracies, and a region caught between Russia, Western Europe, and the United States faced the monumental task of rebuilding from the ground up.

That’s where John R. Rieger’s story begins.

In his new book, Bridges, Not Bombs: A Witness Within Eastern Europe’s Rebirth, Rieger takes readers on a frontline journey through the post-communist transition. From Romania’s revolution to Bosnia’s recovery, Ukraine’s turbulent reforms, and Serbia’s banking overhaul, this memoir offers a rare inside look at the people and policies shaping an entire region.

📽️ And now, you can watch the story come alive in the official book trailer:
https://youtu.be/9NDUdXLu8c4

The trailer captures the urgency of history in motion—collapsing walls, fragile beginnings, and the choices America faced between sending bombs or building bridges. It’s a glimpse of the gripping firsthand experiences that fill the pages of the book.

Why This Story Matters Today

Part memoir, part policy analysis, Rieger’s work explores:

  • The ground-level reality of nations learning capitalism after decades of central planning.

  • USAID’s role in rebuilding trust, infrastructure, and governance—both its triumphs and its failures.

  • The ongoing relevance of Eastern Europe’s struggle as Russia’s war in Ukraine reshapes the region again.

At its core, the book carries a simple but powerful truth: great powers shouldn’t just wield force; they should build bridges—tools that support, restore, and keep the peace.

Join the Conversation

If you’re drawn to stories of international development, post-Cold War history, or simply want a gripping memoir that shows how global change looks up close, this is a book—and a trailer—you won’t want to miss.

📖 Available now wherever books are sold.

Amazon: https://a.co/d/elUNd9F
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/usaid-and-eastern-europe-john-r-rieger/1147950277?ean=9798349534119

#BridgesNotBombsBook #WitnessWithin #EasternEuropeAfterCommunism #USAID #InternationalDevelopment #ForeignPolicy #PostCommunism #CorporateGovernance #Balkans #Ukraine #OECD #Memoir

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