Assignment - Cold War and Beyond

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Dec 6, 2023

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1 Assignment: Cold War and Beyond Muhammad Bello Z. Ahmed History of the World since the fifteenth century, 12, University- CHY4U f1+ Ms. Samantha Gowanlock June 24 th , 2023

2 The Cold War, which spanned from 1947 to 1991, was a period characterized by intense geopolitical tensions, nuclear brinkmanship, proxy wars, and ideological conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. It has prompted an ongoing debate on whether the world was a safer place during the Cold War than it is today. 1 Assessing the level of safety requires an examination of the conflicts and challenges faced in both eras. From my understanding, I contend that the world was relatively safer during the Cold War due to the presence of stable power structures, nuclear deterrence, and clear ideological boundaries. The bipolar structure of the Cold War, with the two superpowers at the helm, created a sense of stability and predictability in international relations. Although tensions were high and proxy wars erupted in regions such as Korea and Vietnam, the conflict was largely contained within these spheres, minimizing the risk of global escalation. The existence of clear power structures and the fear of direct confrontation between the superpowers acted as a deterrent to all-out war, thereby maintaining a delicate balance. 2 The concept of mutually assured destruction (MAD), underpinned by the threat of nuclear weapons, further bolstered this balance by establishing a sense of equilibrium. The fear of catastrophic consequences limited the inclination of the superpowers to engage in direct conflict. In contrast, the present global landscape is characterized by a more fragmented and multipolar world. The dissolution of the Soviet Union and the rise of new powers have reshaped global dynamics, leading to increased complexity and unpredictability in international relations. Conflicts and security threats span a wide range, from traditional interstate conflicts to the rise of non-state actors and transnational terrorism. The 1 The Editors of Encyclopedia BrItannica, “Cold War,” Britannica, retrieved June 24, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/event/Cold-War . 2 Mohd Noor Maht Yazid, “The Cold War, Bipolarity Structure and the Power Vacuum in the East and South East Asia after 1945,” JGP, retrieved June 24, 2023, from https://jgpcnet.com/journals/jgpc/Vol_2_No_1_June_2014/6.pdf .

3 absence of a clear bipolar structure and the proliferation of nuclear weapons to additional countries introduce new risks and challenges to global security. Without a stable power structure, maintaining stability and predictability becomes more challenging, as competing interests and ideologies intertwine and intersect. 3 The absence of clear ideological boundaries, which were prominent during the Cold War between the capitalist and communist blocs, has led to a blurring of lines in the present era. The rise of hybrid warfare, employing a combination of military, economic, and cyber means, complicates the identification of adversaries and their intentions. The complexity of conflicts, coupled with the lack of a clear ideological divide, makes it difficult to navigate the global security landscape and address emerging threats effectively. 4 While the Cold War era was marked by intense tensions and proxy conflicts, it provided a certain level of stability and predictability that contributed to a relatively safer world compared to the present. The bipolar power structure, the fear of nuclear annihilation, and clear ideological boundaries played significant roles in maintaining this stability. In contrast, the present era is characterized by a more fragmented and multipolar world, with diverse and diffuse conflicts that pose significant challenges to global security. The absence of a clear power structure and the complexity of conflicts make the world less safe and more unpredictable. The bipolar structure of the Cold War, with the United States and the Soviet Union as the two superpowers, created a sense of stability and predictability in international relations. The division of the world into two distinct power blocs provided a framework for countries to align themselves with one of the superpowers, ensuring a certain level of order and control. This stable 3 The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, “Mutually Assured Destruction,” Encyclopedia Britannica, retrieved June 25, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/state-sovereign-political-entity/Hegel . 4 Gregory F. Treverton, et al, “Addressing Hybrid Threats,” HYBRIDCOE, retrieved June 25, 2023, from https://www.hybridcoe.fi/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Treverton-AddressingHybridThreats.pdf .

4 power structure reduced the likelihood of major conflicts escalating into global catastrophes. Countries were motivated to maintain alliances and partnerships with either the United States or the Soviet Union to gain protection and support, allowing for a clear understanding of each nation's role and position within the global order. 5 The presence of such power structures helped prevent the outbreak of large-scale conflicts by establishing a balance of power between the superpowers. Each side understood the consequences of engaging in direct conflict, as it could potentially lead to a devastating nuclear war. This understanding acted as a deterrent and contributed to a relatively safer world. Moreover, the stability provided by the bipolar power structure helped contain conflicts within specific regions, such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War, which were fought between the United States and the Soviet Union indirectly through their respective allies. 6 These conflicts, while devastating for the countries involved, remained limited in scope and did not escalate into direct confrontations between the superpowers. The clear division of influence and control between the two blocs ensured that conflicts remained localized, reducing the risk of broader global turmoil. The stable power structures of the Cold War era also facilitated diplomatic negotiations and crisis management, as the superpowers had established channels of communication and engaged in efforts to prevent the escalation of tensions. The existence of stable power structures allowed for the implementation of diplomatic solutions, as demonstrated by the resolution of the Cuban Missile 5 Vidya Nadkarnii, “ Bipolarism and Its End, From the Cold War to the Post-Cold War World,” Oxford Research Encyclopedias, retrieved June 27 from https://oxfordre.com/internationalstudies/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190846626.001.000 1/acrefore-9780190846626-e-325 . 6 Mueller, John. “The Essential Irrelevance of Nuclear Weapons: Stability in the Postwar World.” International Security 13, no. 2 (1988): 55–79. https://doi.org/10.2307/2538971 .

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