Another "Cold War" ?

Question

Like most of the contributors to this site, we lived through the "cold war" with Russia (USSR). With Putin now dominating the politics of Russia, do you think that we (U.S.) will be in the same situation in the near future, and if so, what do you think the repercussions will be ?

(I think the cold war is what fueled the original "James Bond" series of movies)

Answer 1

Not a chance. Putin knows that the Russian armed forces are in no position to threaten anyone. The only event which could ratchet things up would be NATO appointing a German general as NATO commander. He has lived through the dissolution of his former nation (the USSR)and has also witnessed the factionalism which has come with creation of the Russian Federation. Chechnya and others want to go their own way. Russians who used to live in luxury in the "near abroad" are finding life tough. "Soyuz" (Union) may have been replaced by "Mir v Swoboda" (Peace and Freedom), but those who were cast aside economically in that transition yearn for a return to Soyuz.
So, Putin faces strong challenges from the old left. At the same time he has to keep a watch on folks like Zheronovsky and the loons on the right. That may be why he is acting like a czar because Zheronovsky's original group "Pamyat" (Memory) wanted a return to the days of the Czar.
In short, Putin is too much involved in an internal juggling act to pose any threat to the West.

Answer 2

I think that we have a whole new set of actors on the stage of politics and what can it do to avert a cold war. This time around we could afford it less. While running a national debt that is very close to 9 trillions dollars, more debt could finally break us.
Putin is in a better position because of all this new found wealth in oil fields. And the volatile oil market is making it better for him as well as arab countries to booster their purses, at the expense of west's need for energy.
Yes you are right about James Bond movies.
Lastly let me add the following. The actors in this new stage.
China is befriending Iran and Saudi Arabia, Russia is deeply in bed with Iran. Islam is slowly moving into Europe. South American is becoming less friendly to the USA.

Answer 3

No, I don't think so. Russia really can't afford it. There is to much trade going on for them to jeopardize relations. The way the economics of the world are now no major power wants a war, hot or cold, with another major powder.

Answer 4

It isn't a GREAT accomplishment. But they've done damn well. I'd be happy with the Europa title if I were Chelsea. Of course doing the double CL would be amazing, but the Europa is still a significant trophy and they've done well in getting it. They could've just folded over and dropped the ball after a bad CL campaign. But they recovered, stepped up and improved so significantly that they won it. I have respect for that attitude.

Answer 5

Our cold was just shifted it will be in the east and south, If Iran get the weapons they want, or Pakistan changes leaders it will be disastrous
The next trouble spot is going to be Venezuela,Mexico may decide to join Venezuela on oil prices to the United States.

Answer 6

Ya gotta remember they are having an election right now.
Putin was struttin his stuff to impress the electorate.
He was saber rattlin just to get some media time.
After he wins the election, will he keep sending bombers to the limits of our space like in the old days?

Answer 7

Vladimar Putin is a very smart man, and to me, it looks as if he want to take Russia back to the old era in Russia. Below is an article I read on him.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: THE MYSTERIOUS PRESIDENT - PROFILE
Sunday 4 July 2004 9.30pm-10pm; rpt 12.30am-1am; 3.10am-3.40am


Winston Churchill once described Russia as "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma". Observers of Russia in the 21st century could surely say the same of the country’s president, Vladimir Putin.

Efficiency

Shadowy bureaucrat turned assured world leader, Putin talks of market democracy and capitalist western values. But his early life was spent in the former Soviet Union, and he looks back fondly on this time of state control. Political pundits wonder when the real Putin will reveal himself.

Born in Leningrad, six months before the death of Stalin, the young Putin experienced a poverty-stricken childhood tempered by a good education. He developed lifelong passions for judo and spy novels, and first applied to the KGB at the age of 17. When they told him to go away and come back with a degree, he complied with an efficiency that would later serve him well.

Golden boy

Putin's duties for the agency, including economic espionage in Germany, brought him swift promotions and a reputation for integrity. But the downfall of the Soviet Union brought him back to his hometown where, as deputy mayor, he pursued reform and eventually to Moscow, where he became the Kremlin's golden boy.

Chosen, to great surprise, by Boris Yeltsin as his successor, Putin used his KGB training, plus his own discipline and common sense, in a series of jobs that included running the security service.

When he eventually assumed the role of president, Putin's tough treatment of rebel guerrillas in Chechnya ensured his popularity with the Russian people. But they wondered at his lack of emotion when the lives of 118 crew members were lost on the submarine Kursk.

Reform

Intent on internal reform, he claims "we are not happy with the pace, but we are still moving ahead". His mission is to "pull Russia out of the swamp", but his authoritarian stance and efforts to control public information have brought reminders of Soviet days.

Some have accused Putin of "colourless bureaucracy", but former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright spotted the "two distinct strands" of the Russian president.

Whether he wants to drive Russia into a new capitalist era, or embrace the values of its Soviet past, he is determined to put his nation back on its feet. To do this, Vladimir Putin may have to show his true colours sooner rather than later.

By Caroline Frost

Answer 8

you make a very good point -- problem is that unless we brought the draft back our armed forces are too thin to flex our muscles enough to really go head to head with the new russia!!!!

believe it or not i have no option on the james bond theory