Does 21st Century Mark The Resurgence Of Cold War Era?
The fall of the Berlin Wall. The shredding of the Iron Curtain. The end of the Cold War. Even in the 21st century, we have witnessed certain occurrences which can indirectly be linked to the egregious situation of the Cold War era. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine War are just a few. However, in contrast to the old Cold War, this new Cold War can be characterised by a quintessential shift in its nature and the terms of hostility. It is no longer just military by means of proxy wars but also heavily reliant on technological, nuclear and economic fronts. For instance, in 2014, the armed forces of the Russian Federation led an aggressive attack, seizing several strategic sites across Crimea and eventually establishing the pro-Russian Aksyonov Government, declaring Crimea’s independence. Russia then claimed Crimea as a part of its territory after holding an apparent referendum in Crimea to articulate the will of the people. However, Ukraine stated that this was completely against their constitution and basic principles of international law. Therefore, the Western hemisphere does not recognise the referendum and continues to believe that Crimea is very much a part of Ukrainian territory.
Another such area of exigent essence is the global microchip industry, where the USA and China compete for monopoly. The Taiwan conundrum adds another layer of complexity to this never-ending power struggle. Taiwan is home to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest. Taiwan is a strong ally of the USA. However, its geopolitical closeness to China and China’s aggressive modus operandi, coupled with the USA’s commitment to the security of Taiwan, makes it yet another consequence of the Cold War. Moreover, Russia and China have continually aligned their policies, activities and interests in a manner such that it harms who they perceive to be their common enemy: the USA and its allies. The ideological antagonistic difference between democracy and autocracy, capitalism and communism, liberalism and control, a central and paramount matter of conflict in the old Cold War, continues to be a vital feature of the 21st century Cold War.
Furthermore, cyber espionage too has emerged and become a formidable battleground in the new Cold War era. Russia and China have time and again proven their dominance in this field by means of sophisticated cyber-attacks and misinformation campaigns against the USA and its allies. They aim to disrupt the opponent’s technological stability and infrastructure, steal sensitive information, and mould public opinion. This form of warfare leverages the digital world’s interconnectedness to achieve strategic objectives.
As for the Russia-Ukraine invasion, the USA invited Ukraine to join NATO. If Ukraine agreed to do so, it would severely threaten Russia's national security. After several warnings and threats, Russia finally invaded Ukraine. Ukraine continues to be supported by the USA. This is why people wonder- is Ukraine just another pawn in the big game? Has the Cold War resumed again?
The new Cold War era is a complex, multifaceted battle that involves numerous forms of warfare and requires a comprehensive approach from both sides so that they uphold their form of government and make advances towards their development in economic, political, technological and other fields. However, the nations involved must also understand that they are walking on thin ice. Ice that, if broken, could lead to the decimation of the world’s population and the loss of lives of not only soldiers but also civilians, as was already seen in the Japanese towns of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.
Ishana Sharma is a Student of Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai
