The Cold War is a period in the history of politics that lasted from the end of World War II in 1945 until the early 1990s. It was characterized by a struggle between the Western Bloc, headed by the United States and its partners, and the Eastern Bloc, led by the Soviet Union and its allies. Although the Cold War officially ended over 30 years ago, its influence is still felt today, especially in international relations and the balance of power between countries.
The Cold War had far-reaching consequences for the world, including dividing the world into opposing ideological realms and an arms race. This division led to the suppression of dissent in other countries, which, satellites of the USA and the USSR, lost their political independence (Mastanduno, 2019). Although the arms race did not lead to an open clash, it gave rise to an all-encompassing fear. The United States and Russia still maintain large nuclear weapons supply, and concerns about nuclear proliferation in other countries remain a major international security issue (Mastanduno, 2019). Ideas still circulate about the possibility of a third world war that will turn the world into nuclear ashes, which is a direct consequence of the accumulation of an incredible amount of deadly weapons.
The Cold War also had a devastating impact on several regions of the world, including the Korean Peninsula, Vietnam, Latin America, and Africa. In Korea, the country’s division into North and South led to the Korean War and the division of the entire state. The Vietnam War was a direct result of the Cold War and led to the devastation of the country and political instability in Asia. In Latin America, the Cold War led to a series of proxy wars and political upheavals (Wood, 2020). It accelerated the decolonization of Africa as the superpowers sought to gain influence over the newly independent states (Wood, 2020). In general, the Cold War led to the creation of many unresolvable low-level conflicts worldwide.
Moreover, the policy of suspicion, distrust, and passive aggression through third countries continues in the modern world. The United States and Russia continue to clash in different regions and compete for influence. The modern war in Ukraine is a direct confirmation of this and follows the tracery of the Vietnam War. This is the logical conclusion of the policy of distrust and the constant desire of each country to secure itself from an imaginary potential attack. Russia constantly raises the issue of deploying NATO troops and pro-American bases close to its borders, wanting to have buffer zones under its control to protect its interests.
The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011, is another example of the ongoing impact of the Cold War on the world today. The conflict attracted a number of foreign powers, including the United States and Russia. It became a proxy war for a broader struggle for influence and power in the Middle East (Mason & Suchkov, 2021). The conflict has fueled the emergence of extremist groups such as the Islamic State and led to a massive refugee crisis, with millions of Syrians displaced both inside and outside the country.
The Cold War continues to have a lasting impact on the world, especially in international relations and the balance of power between countries. Fear and geopolitical conflicts outside of core countries are historically more destructive weapons than nuclear bombs. The Syrian conflict is just one example of how the ongoing influence of the Cold War is being felt in the modern world. In order to better understand the ongoing impact of the Cold War, it is essential to study its aftermath and how it has affected contemporary politics and international relations.
References
Mastanduno, M. (2019). Partner politics: Russia, China, and the challenge of extending US hegemony after the Cold War. Security Studies, 28(3), 479-504. Web.
Mason, R., & Suchkov, M. A. (2021). Russia in Syria and the Middle East: Tactics Disguised as a Strategy? Transnational Security Cooperation in the Mediterranean, 147-161. Web.
Wood, A. T. (2020). The Cold War [Audio podcast]. Web.