Unipolar Post WW2 era

[DominusNovus]

Assume that WW2 goes worse for the USSR, but the Axis still loses (likely later). Perhaps Moscow falls, but the Soviets still hold on, bleeding the Nazis. When the war ends, the Soviets are in no position to serve as a counter balance to the US and the western allies. Whatever alt-Yalta Conference there is, it is vastly worse for the Soviets.

How does the post-war order look? Consider, for example, that as a bare minimum, we’re looking at no Warsaw pact, and maybe even some of the constituent republics break away (especially looking at the Baltic states and Poland east of the Curzon line).

The first impression is that this would be utter American hegemony. But without a threatening USSR, there is likely no NATO. Germany may not divided between a Communist and Democratic half, but it is also quite likely to be kept divided due to French and British opinions (let alone whether or not it is allow to re-industrialize). Perhaps this means dividing Germany into more distinct identities ( spitballing maybe Bavaria, Westphalia, and Prussia?).

How does de-colonization go? Quicker, because the US has a more dominant position? Slower, because France and Britain have less to fear about standing up to American

How long does it take for a countervailing force to arise, and where might that happen?

 

[Inferus]

Worse WWII might see Stalin eat a bullet (either by his hand or someone else's) which could bring about a troika that accepts Marshall Plan aid (which could be used to build trust with the Soviets). You'd see a return to 1939 borders at a minimum.

Of interest is what happens in China and Korea. Do the Soviets still invade Manchuria and hand over the weapons and supplies there to Mao? Is Korea divided between the Soviets and Americans in '45 or do the Americans get the bulk of it? If the Soviets prove too weak to invade Manchuria, I don't see the Communists being able to seize the weapons they needed to confront the Nationalists which may mean a semi-stable Nationalist regime with a continuing Communist insurgency. American money that went to Japan and South Korea is more likely to go to China to help rebuild it. Do Japan and Korea reach the same economic heights at OTL?

Africa still decolonized but the proxy wars never happen. That doesn't stop the madness that follows but it can't be worse than OTL.