[b][u]Central Europe[/u][/b]

Central Europe was heavily involved and affected by the events of the Cold War. The USSR having such a strong influence over so many countries and territories in the area and being a looming presence over the region, and being pulled between both the East and West lead to a lot of unrest within the region, sometimes leading even to violent actions as ideologies clashed, fuelled by the action - or inaction - and influence of nations of both sides. 

[b]Hungary[/b]
Hungary was one of many Soviet Satellite states during the Cold War, but the influence waned over the years following the 1991 coup. Internal clashes between communist and capitalist ideologies escalated during the mid-to-late 90's, resulting in harsh crackdowns and punitive measures by internal security forces. The continuing civil unrest, disobedience and violent protests that resulted to disruption of internal government and day-to-day running of the countery was used as provocation for Red Army soldiers to enter the country and occupy it under the explanation of 'restoring order'. This action only added to the outrage felt by the Hungarian people, and the situation erupted into a civil war, with the Hungarian government and Armed Forces split between both sides. 
The fighting became a gruelling, messy grinder of insurgency and guerrilla warfare, alongside open battles. Western nations covertly funded the anti-Soviet forces, while publicly condeming the brutal and repressive actions of the Red Army and other Soviet-aligned forces, especially as other Eastern-bloc states committed forces to the internal conflict. 
This was no real secret, and the USSR along with the Hungarian government called for sanctions against the UK, USA, and other nations supplying weapons, aid and training to the anti-Soviet, anti-communist forces, promising direct action against them should any shipments be seized, and any advisors or personnel be captured, and that they would be treated as illegal combatants. 
Before much more could escalate, the Heavenfall interrupted everything. 
Following the disaster, the Soviet troops were immediately recalled, and the priority within Hungary became reconstruction and the provision of aid, relief and shelter in the wake of the devastation. It took many years, but in the aftermath, Hungary has reformed their government into a democratic republic.
Hungary currently maintains excellent relations with the Scandinavian Alliance, along with a friendly relationship with the N/UN, though is not currently a full member of the organization.

[b]The Czech Republic & Slovakia[/b]
The Czech Republic and Slovakia were formed in a peaceful, non-violent dissolution of the state of Czecheslovakia in 1992, after the non-violent overthrow of the communist government in 1990; one of the only nations to reject the influence of the USSR. Shortly after this, the newly formed Czech Republic sought membership in the European Union, along with NATO membership, receiving NATO admission in 1999 and EU membership in 2004. 
The Czech Republic has been the more successful of the two nations, managing to successfully kick-start its' economy and development, and achieve a high standard of living. Unfortunately for Slovakia, the nation was beset by the ravages of organized crime, and corruption was rife, leading to numerous issues with parliamentary elections, due to corruption of officials running for office. Business and industry was also tremendously affected by this. Public services, utilities, and standards of education were low as a result, and the country became a economic 'black hole', along with having a very low standard of living. While it maintained close ties with its' neighbour, the issues continued to dog the country and hold it back until the Heavenfall.
Following the Heavenfall, the Czech Republic was damaged extensively, but was able to administer and send aid to its' neighbour. The disruption of infrastructure and communications, along with the further damage to utilities and services within Slovakia lead to a serious reorganisation of the government, law enforcement, emergency services, utilities and other such services. Criminal activities and corruption were fiercely hunted down and stamped out, with the help of external aid, and the country has managed to get itself back on its' feet within the years following the Heavenfall. Investment in the countries' education, business and industrial sectors has attracted new businesses, and resulted in a fresh, modern, and forward-looking country that has a high standard of living. 
Both Slovakia and the Czech Republic are members of the N/UN, but also have strong ties with The Scandinavian Alliance, Hungary, and other national groups and powers.

[b]Poland[/b]
While independent from the USSR, Poland was a satellite state of the Soviet Union and was heavily influenced by Soviet politics and actions. The Red Army had a presence in Poland throughout the Cold War, and attempts to hold democratic elections were repeatedly interfered with by Soviet authorities and agents, resulting in a low standard of living, and a great deal of dissatisfaction and unrest. 
Poland was important to the Soviet leadership as a direct access to their territory in East Germany as a means to move their troops and forces, and as a place to station their forces close to the projected front lines of any conflict. 
Internal resistance against Soviet Communist rule was persistent, and had been ongoing since the institution of the communist regime. It continued into the 1990s, and in 2002 it erupted into an armed insurrection, with the main targets being Soviet garrisons and forces within Poland and the institutions that supported them. The counter-offensive was brutal and heavy-handed, leading to outcry from the legitimate government. This was roundly ignored and used as justification for more troops to be deployed, and the Soviet authorities to seize power, claiming that the government itself had been infiltrated by the rebels. This resulted in all out civil war, aa Polish forces turned against the Soviets, pleading for aid from NATO forces. The issue received heated discussion in the UN, with the USSR and its' allies coming under intense condemnation for their actions, and refusing offers to engage in talks. 
NATO and its' allies eventually declared they would intervene militarily, and the USSR likewise declared days later that any intervention would be seen as an act of war, and forces on both sides were moved ordered to move to ready positions - but the Heavenfall happened before any further action could take place, and the whole plan was forgotten.

Following the Heavenfall and the destruction caused by it, the soviet forces retreated back into the ruins of Russia, and Poland organised its' own democratic elections. While it suffered a period of difficult adjustment, economic reforms and shock strategies quickly followed, with the country opening up to great investment from outside corporations and agencies and leading to a rapid increase in the quality of living and wealth of the country as a whole. 
Having already been a founding member of the original United Nations, Poland was quick to join the N/UN, and is a key member of the international alliance. 

[b]The Balkan States[/b]
The nation formerly known as Yugoslavia split up over a period from 1991-2001 following a period of rising nationalism and ethnic tension between the constituent republics that had formed the communist - but independent - state. The conflict - or conflicts - that followed were some of the most brutal and violent since World War 2, with many recorded incidents of war crimes, including genocidal actions. Forces from both the USSR and NATO intervened, though notably worked together in this instance in peacekeeping operations and in attempts to curtail the genocidal activities and conflict, though such co-operation was at a strategic and planning level, rather than in the field, and there were many accusations of espionage and counter-espionage of one side or the other attempting to gain intelligence and information about the forces deployed. There was apparent truth to this, as following the treaties and agreements signed that ended the conflict, there were several incidents of people coming forward to reveal they had been courted by intelligence agencies from either side to provide photos, reports, or to acquire physical objects and items for the purposes of providing intelligence information. 

Following the Heavenfall, the region is relatively peaceful, but heavily divided. Bosnia and Herzegovenia, Slovenia and Montenegro are all members of the Unaligned Nations Council, while Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia and Kosovo are all minor members of the N/UN. 

Greece, to the south of them all, suffered several incidents of insurgencies across the border, and was involved in deploying forces into the region as part of peacekeeping efforts. Greece also had ongoing issues with conflicts over its' territorial borders on Cyprus, which pulled the UK into the action during the 1990's and early 00's, with the situation a series of short, violent skirmishes that would died down for months or even years, before erupting again. Intelligence provided by the CIA and British Intelligence services pointed to the fact that Soviet agents were responsible for manipulating the situation to draw attention and forces away from other areas. 
However, Greece was damaged and affected heavily by the Heavenfall, and the following reconstruction sent the country into an economic crisis, as the government was unable to afford the huge bills needed for reconstruction and aid for its' population. 
The country ended up owing a huge debt, which was taken on in part by Megacorporations in exchange for concessions for basing their facilities in the country and relaxing of regulations around their activities. As such, the Greek government is essentially a puppet of the Megacorporations that are based there. The country has become a highly technologically advanced nation with minimal unemployment, but the downsides are that virtually everything serves the corporate interest.