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Post by Scifishocks on Aug 21, 2008 4:16:29 GMT 1
The old Cold War superpowers are, seemingly, very close to facing off yet again.
The Russians have scores to settle in Georgia (and other places if they wish to push it) and the US are testing new missile defence systems that will be based in Poland. I gather that more missile defence systems are planned for the Czech Republic in the future.
The fact that these plans (unknown before the Georgia issue) are suddenly newsworthy is, I think, worrying. It strikes me as posturing. The most worrying of human traits.
Everyone's back is up again. So what's happening? Why have we come out of the old second Cold War (seemingly enlightened) into what looks like could be another one after a gap of some years?
The Russians are talking about a new arms race.
Will we need to reactivate our old civil defence systems? We have many old unused bunkers from the 60's/70's and 80's around the country. Will we need to look to them again?
If this is so, we civilians will be left lacking... as we always have.
I lived through one Cold War, pretty much oblivious (I was young and concerned with the things that the young are). But I read and learned about that after the fact and it was scary stuff.
Which is possibly why things are starting to look a little off to me now.
Your thoughts?
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Post by richardburton on Aug 21, 2008 10:36:46 GMT 1
I tend to agree, mate. We're entering another era of uncertainty which began back with 9/11 and the invasions of Afganistan and Iraq. As well as the possibility of an invasion of Iran (which has always been part of US plans) we also see renewed East and West head butting over strategic turf which we have seen very little of since the end of the first cold war. A combination of the US's missile defence strategy and agression towards Iran will I fear throw us headlong into a fully fledged cold war once more.
And as you say this time we're old enough to know what's going on, so it's going to be brown trousers time.
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Post by RustiSwordz on Aug 21, 2008 10:41:48 GMT 1
Its more complicated than that, Russia has a lot of business interests in the west, that would suffer greatly if things went seriously south. The west also has energy and business interests in Russia.
The Russians are no fools though, this missile shield the west say is to defend against rogue states like Iran, who are they trying to kid! The Russians arnt stupid they are placed perfectly to take out any missiles launched by Russia, so the Russians are understandably nervous.
I do believe though any big nuclear exchange will be between fledgling nuclear powers, not between Russia and NATO because bothsides know each side will kill the other, no one wins.
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Post by poyks on Aug 21, 2008 11:09:22 GMT 1
I kind of hope there will be an obvious element of risk, whenever this country undergoes some kind of outside threat it pulls together a bit more than the murderous, self destructive and disrespectful society we have at the moment. (Hell, that was grumpy! lol!  ) |
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Post by richardburton on Aug 21, 2008 15:04:44 GMT 1
lol Poyks! I tend to agree though - we as a nation do pull together far better in times of crisis.
Rusti - I agree. Russia and Nato won't be the ones to use nukes it will be as you say one of the new nuclear powers or a terrorist group. I don't think however the fact that neither the Russians nor Nato will use nukes will stop us slipping into another cold war. It will become another covert war of spying, under the table deals, insurgents and back-stabbing.
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Post by Relyt on Aug 21, 2008 16:39:30 GMT 1
Might be a good thing my country kept its Cold War era Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN's), the Ohio class. I always like to think that both the USSR and NATO kept out of war by nuclear deterrence, of which SSBN's played an important role. Looks like we might be putting them out on patrol again. I'm not saying I'm excited about this. I was excited about going to Iraq and Afghanistan back in '01 and '03. Now all I hear about is soldiers getting killed. I then learned that war is not a thing to look forward to. And now a possibility of Nuclear war... what is wrong with people? I live near two very important areas of my country: Newport News Shipbuilding, which builds all of our aircraft carriers and many attack submarines, and Norfolk Naval Weapons Station, where most of our Atlantic Fleet comes to resupply. All it would take is a couple of nukes...
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Post by krakatoa on Sept 2, 2008 16:19:02 GMT 1
Of course Russia is afraid about the anti missile that U.S. wants to install in europe, i would be worried if i was in their shoes, they know that when the anti missile will be installed and functionning, they wont be able to do anything against no one, it would be as if they did'nt have any nuclear missiles anymore, so yes it must be very concerning for them.
As for the Cold war, ya it is possible that we are returning back to this, but an all out nuclear attack from Russia, Nato, is near to impossible.
Krakatoa.
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Post by Relyt on Sept 2, 2008 19:27:56 GMT 1
Oh, it's possible outright, just improbable.  |
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