The Unending War
The Cold War never ended, it just took a different form.
The first thing one must contend with is the definition of a "Cold War". Simply put, it is a contest between two powers without directly engaging in armed conflict. This means proxy wars in which each side arms another party and has those two slug it out. This means competing economically to amass the most wealth. This means building up military power to try and outclass the other.
In this way, Cold Wars can be childish things. The warring factions can often seem like little children, turning almost any and everything into a competition. And this is all for the sake of bragging rights. But the question that arises is how do you determine a winner.
Well, like when you're a kid the answer is there isn't a "winner", only an end. The fights tend to be over things both sides already do or were planning to do. Because they're not really supposed to be fighting, you can't truly end the fighting, and therefore you can't end the war. Essentially it all just ends. One side decides to not compete anymore.
But unlike a couple of children, nations can't just stop competing. One nation can't just say "we're done trying to economically prosperous" because that would end the nation itself. That is the reason the Cold War never ended between the US and Russia. Yes the USSR broke up, yes we stopped, ostensibly, fighting proxy wars, and yes we stopped, again ostensibly, the arms race. But we didn't, and can't, stop competing economically.
Make no mistake, Russia's interest in Ukraine is primarily an economic one. Yes, there is a matter of national pride involved with the historical ties between Ukraine and Russia. But the central issue is certainly economic issues. The upheaval in Ukraine began because of a desire for a different economic path, one that wasn't tied to Russia, as the existing paradigm with Russia has not been to the liking of many in the Ukraine. For Russia, Ukraine is a nation through which many of its oil and natural gas pipelines cross. It is a nation of 40 million who have been a relatively captive audience for Russian goods and services. Having Ukraine make a turn westward, away from Russia, and more over towards the likes of the U.S, means an economic headwind for Russia, and a tailwind for its rivals.
Why does this concern the United State? Many incorrectly argue it doesn't. It's not a direct interest. We don't trade with the Ukraine, at least not nearly enough that we would immediately jump to think about them in the same economic framework Russia might. Many of those who think the U.S should be involved cite humanitarian causes or broad democratic principles. But that isn't quite it either.
As I've contended in past, seemingly unrelated, posts the world's economic structure is changing. The old economic system is not going to work anymore. Part of the readjustment that has to take place includes looking to new markets. For the U.S that means extending branches in Asia and Europe.
No, the U.S doesn't have any immediate or direct interest in the Ukraine, but it doesn't want the precedent set of other powers barring its path to economic expansion. If the Ukraine spends more money with Europe that means Europe has more money to spend. That means that American products already in Europe would see a benefit of that increased European buying power.
The Cold War never ended. There was a symbolic gesture and a lot of talk about moving past the Cold War setting. But that war never really ended. Because the war didn't have a real start, it can't really end. The rules just changed. They stopped competing on that one challenge, like the staring contests kids have, or to see who can run down the block fastest. The Cold War goes on, just under a different guise. Every now and then, like now with Ukraine, or a few years ago with Georgia, we're reminded of that.
The first thing one must contend with is the definition of a "Cold War". Simply put, it is a contest between two powers without directly engaging in armed conflict. This means proxy wars in which each side arms another party and has those two slug it out. This means competing economically to amass the most wealth. This means building up military power to try and outclass the other.
In this way, Cold Wars can be childish things. The warring factions can often seem like little children, turning almost any and everything into a competition. And this is all for the sake of bragging rights. But the question that arises is how do you determine a winner.
Well, like when you're a kid the answer is there isn't a "winner", only an end. The fights tend to be over things both sides already do or were planning to do. Because they're not really supposed to be fighting, you can't truly end the fighting, and therefore you can't end the war. Essentially it all just ends. One side decides to not compete anymore.
But unlike a couple of children, nations can't just stop competing. One nation can't just say "we're done trying to economically prosperous" because that would end the nation itself. That is the reason the Cold War never ended between the US and Russia. Yes the USSR broke up, yes we stopped, ostensibly, fighting proxy wars, and yes we stopped, again ostensibly, the arms race. But we didn't, and can't, stop competing economically.
Make no mistake, Russia's interest in Ukraine is primarily an economic one. Yes, there is a matter of national pride involved with the historical ties between Ukraine and Russia. But the central issue is certainly economic issues. The upheaval in Ukraine began because of a desire for a different economic path, one that wasn't tied to Russia, as the existing paradigm with Russia has not been to the liking of many in the Ukraine. For Russia, Ukraine is a nation through which many of its oil and natural gas pipelines cross. It is a nation of 40 million who have been a relatively captive audience for Russian goods and services. Having Ukraine make a turn westward, away from Russia, and more over towards the likes of the U.S, means an economic headwind for Russia, and a tailwind for its rivals.
Why does this concern the United State? Many incorrectly argue it doesn't. It's not a direct interest. We don't trade with the Ukraine, at least not nearly enough that we would immediately jump to think about them in the same economic framework Russia might. Many of those who think the U.S should be involved cite humanitarian causes or broad democratic principles. But that isn't quite it either.
As I've contended in past, seemingly unrelated, posts the world's economic structure is changing. The old economic system is not going to work anymore. Part of the readjustment that has to take place includes looking to new markets. For the U.S that means extending branches in Asia and Europe.
No, the U.S doesn't have any immediate or direct interest in the Ukraine, but it doesn't want the precedent set of other powers barring its path to economic expansion. If the Ukraine spends more money with Europe that means Europe has more money to spend. That means that American products already in Europe would see a benefit of that increased European buying power.
The Cold War never ended. There was a symbolic gesture and a lot of talk about moving past the Cold War setting. But that war never really ended. Because the war didn't have a real start, it can't really end. The rules just changed. They stopped competing on that one challenge, like the staring contests kids have, or to see who can run down the block fastest. The Cold War goes on, just under a different guise. Every now and then, like now with Ukraine, or a few years ago with Georgia, we're reminded of that.
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