Tensions between Ukraine and Russia remain high, but non-violent and unofficial, as the US and Western leaders prepare for conditions to heat up.

Shannon Longworth Reporter

Yes, the US is in a second Cold War with Russia, experts say

Feb 09, 2022

Shannon Longworth Reporter

As more than 100,000 Russian troops are stationed along the border with Ukraine, the U.S. and other NATO countries continue to prepare for an invasion.

President Joe Biden met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Following the discussion, Biden announced Nord Stream 2 (the Russia-to-Germany gas pipeline) would be blocked if Russia decided to invade Ukraine.

“I promise you, we’ll be able to do it,” Biden said.

Many have speculated that these talks are reminiscent of the Cold War era. Some experts speculate that NATO, Ukraine and Russia are currently locked into a second Cold War.

“I think we are probably already in that kind of period now–we have been since at least 2014,” said John Deni, a research professor of national security studies at the U.S. Army War College.

Based on the first Cold War, such a period of time is defined by its unofficial competition, lack of violence and prolonged duration.

“The conflict plays out in other ways–not direct combat between the combatants or the adversaries–but through other forms, including proxies, economic competition and ideological competition,” Deni said.

If Putin were to invade Ukraine with Russian troops, violence would be introduced into the conflict, making it a hot war.

SHANNON LONGWORTH: DIDN’T THE COLD WAR END WHEN THIS HAPPENED?

WELL YEAH BUT SOME EXPERTS SAY

JOHN DENI: “I THINK WE ARE PROBABLY ALREADY IN THAT KIND OF PERIOD NOW–WE HAVE BEEN SINCE AT LEAST 2014.”

LONGWORTH: SO HOLD UP.

WHAT IS A COLD WAR? AND ARE WE REALLY IN ONE NOW?

LET’S GET THIS STRAIGHT.

BASED ON THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE USSR AND THE US, A COLD WAR DOESN’T INVOLVE SHOOTING–OR VIOLENCE DIRECTLY BETWEEN THE COMBATANTS.

JOHN DENI–A RESEARCH PROFESSOR OF NATIONAL SECURITY STUDIES AT THE US ARMY WAR COLLEGE–EXPLAINS.

DENI: “AND SO THE CONFLICT PLAYS OUT IN OTHER WAYS–NOT DIRECT COMBAT BETWEEN THE COMBATANTS OR THE ADVERSARIES–BUT THROUGH OTHER FORMS, INCLUDING PROXIES, ECONOMIC COMPETITION AND IDEOLOGICAL COMPETITION.”

LONGWORTH: IN THE RIVALRY BETWEEN THE SOVIET UNION AND THE U.S.–THE CONFLICT PLAYED OUT AS COMMUNISM VS. CAPITALISM.

THE TWO SIDES ALSO DON’T OFFICIALLY DECLARE WAR ON EACH OTHER–EVEN THOUGH THEY’RE CLEARLY COMPETING. IT’S MORE OF AN OPEN HOSTILITY THAT MANIFESTS IN ACTIVITY LIKE THE SPACE RACE.

AND, FINALLY, THE HOSTILITY IS PROLONGED–IT LASTS AWHILE.

I MEAN, THE SOVIETS AND AMERICANS WERE LOCKED IN CONTENTION FROM THE END OF WWII TO ABOUT 1990.

NOW, ALL THESE POINTS APPLY TO THE CURRENT CONFLICT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE–WHICH STARTED IN 2014 WHEN RUSSIA INVADED UKRAINE AND ANNEXED CRIMEA.

WE’RE INVOLVED BECAUSE UKRAINE’S BACKED BY NATO–A GROUP OF COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE U.S.

IN THIS CONFLICT, THERE HASN’T BEEN ANY SHOOTING OR OFFICIAL DECLARATIONS, AND IT’S LASTED YEARS.

SO, WE VERY WELL COULD BE IN THE MIDDLE OF A COLD WAR ALREADY, THOUGH SOME HISTORIANS WOULD ARGUE THE WORLD IS MUCH MORE STABLE THESE DAYS.

GOT IT STRAIGHT?

LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS AND DON’T FORGET TO HIT THE STRAIGHT ARROW BIAS METER.