The answer, in short, is – well, not that simple.
But what about similarities? Are there parallels between the rises of worldwide volatility? Are there parallels in the symbolism of actions being taken by nations? Perhaps more unnerving, are there parallels between the chronology of today's events and those of the post-WWII era? Again, none of these answers are simple; there is much complexity to the timelines, symbolism, and motives between the modern era and the post-WWII era. But here are some things to consider. Here are some parallels that show that perhaps we should be worried, but not yet.
The Wall
The Berlin Wall was the most visual reminder that the Cold War was ongoing. The Berlin Wall was created between East and West Germany after the second World War. In the 1980s, while the USSR was engaging in perestroika and glasnost or economic reform and political openness, Reagan asked, historically, for the USSR to tear down the Berlin Wall. The tearing down of the wall was a symbol: the Cold War was ending. A war of endless and intense tension, but the incapability to fight, or else destroy the world, epitomizes the cold war.
Though it was considered to be merely a metaphor, the campaign rhetoric is now an executive action to create what President Trump has called "The Great Border Wall." The wall will be between the US and Mexico and is allegedly being constructed over trade deals. This wall, too, has created much controversy. Though it is not yet standing, the actions and plans are in place. The Berlin Wall was the visual symbol of the Cold War; Trump's Wall is eerily similar in both motive and division.
NASA: Space Race
In 1957 Sputnik was sent into space. The tiny satellite would start a massive space race to land men on the moon, though it ended in one of humanity's greatest achievements, as well as the statement that the moon belongs to Earth and not one country. The motives behind the famous Space Race were not scientific – they were a show of strength, and a way to work around a possible space war. JFK said in 1961 that "we will go to the moon", but also that space, the final frontier, must be a place of peace. From 1961 to 1969, the astronauts vs. the cosmonauts raced to get men on the moon. The race ended when Apollo 11 landed two U.S. astronauts on the moon.
This week, Donald Trump has asked NASA if it were possible to move ahead and make what was a planned unmanned mission, a manned one. This too is simply a sign of strength. However, now the space race no longer consists of just two countries. It is not NASA vs. the Cosmonauts any longer. Several private companies have entered the race and are getting very far very fast. Space X, Boeing and New Blue are all moving fast. The race to the red planet is the next step. A space race is another sign of a cold war. But a space race in a cold war is notable due to the politicalness of the action, and not out of the love for science. Space X and Boeing have been planning trips to Mars within the next decade. It would be interesting if the private entities beat the public entities – if a love for science beats the political measuring contest.
Nuclear Arms Build Up
After the US ended WWII by dropping two nuclear bombs, the race to nuclear command began. Another measuring contest began where whoever had the more powerful nuke was to be feared. The only bombs used on cities are multiple times weaker than those created afterward. The Tsar Bomb could put craters into a mountain. The first U.S. H-Bomb test vaporized an island. These bombs lifted aircraft carriers like toys and blew their bottoms out. But regardless of the insane power, they were made more and more powerful. The Tsar Bomb could achieve 100 megatons of TNT equivalence. Such a bomb would level the entire 5 boroughs of NYC. An H-Bomb would leave far more radioactive waste. The 80,000 killed in Hiroshima would sadly look small compared to a city hit by an H-bomb; likely, millions would die. The arms race ended after the Chernobyl nuclear accident showed the world the devastation of atomic radiation. It wrought the fears of nuclear proliferation. It created the SALT 1 Treaty, and slowly the world escaped the nuclear winter everyone feared.
This week Donald Trump ordered to build up the nuclear arsenal. He said, "We need to be at the top of the pack." These thoughts are resoundingly similar to those during the cold war era by US and USSR politicians. Trump also said that he will renegotiate the nuclear treaties and create a new one. This is dubious since these will clearly involve Russia, a nation that Trump is being accused of a relationship with. After the resignation of Mike Flynn, the accusations of Trump and Putin working together for Putin's benefit became more likely. Though still accusations, the president has shut out questions regarding them and has lied on multiple occasions. If the treaty he constructs with Russia is in favor of nuclear arms build up on their side, then be sure we will be in another Cold War.
The Doomsday Clock
About a week after Trump's inauguration, atomic scientists moved the arrow of the hands of the Doomsday clock to 2.5 minutes to midnight, the closest since the first testing of a USSR Atom bob back in 1945.
In terms of chronology, North Korea recently tested an underground nuclear bomb. China is building up its Navy. The US is building up its nuclear stockpile and building a wall.
Constant Fear and Drills
Constant fear of nuclear winter and proliferation consumed the media and the American people of the Cold War era. This is the true definition of the Cold War era – waking up in the morning, going to school, performing a raid drill in school, coming home having a Geiger Counter in your home and watching movies like Red Dawn. In the Cold War era, the fear of either country hitting the button was real. The thirteen days that JFK was dealing with the Cuban Missile Crisis truly epitomizes that fear.
Such fear is missing from the current media and the American people. Talk is common, but it's often political and not full of emotion.
Cyber Warfare
Times are different and unlike the Cold War era, there is another large threat to the modern world – cyber warfare. Such tactics are part of the accusations raised to Trump about Russia's involvement in the US election. The capabilities of cyber warfare can be far more dangerous than other types of warfare. One can shut down entire cities and bomb them without the air raid sirens ever going off. It can collapse entire economies if the banking system is hacked. And as the US fears, it could undermine democracy and democratic elections. Cyber warfare adds a whole new factor to the rising tensions around the world. This is the first time it has been seen, and thus far it is frightening.
So one can see how the answer is not so simple. But here is a simple answer: politically, we may be entering a Cold War. But in reality, we do not feel it yet. The US citizens of the Cold War era felt the fear. We don't quite have that – not yet. Let's hope we need not have it.
