After the end of the Cold War in 1991, the world saw significant political changes, particularly in Eastern Europe. Countries like Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic transitioned from communist regimes to democratic governments, leading to the expansion of the European Union and NATO. In the 1990s and 2000s, conflicts arose in various regions, including the Balkans and Middle East. The dissolution of the Soviet Union also led to the emergence of new nations, such as Ukraine and Georgia, which faced challenges in establishing their identities and governance.