The Cold War

[Da Judge]

Do you think the cold war was ineveatible, even if the allies took over Germany before the USSR did?

[WebbPA]

Yes.

[RichieB16]

I think so, I really don't think the cold war had much to with the Soviet controlled Eastern Europe.  The Berlin Wall obviuously wouldn't have happened so it might have been a little less tense at times, but I think there still would have been a capitolist vs. communist cold war between the super powers.  I was enevitable with two nations with such different systems and so much power to not have a cold war I don't think.

[Felix/FFDS]

There already was a "cold war" before the fighting ('39-'45) started.

Remember, during the (Russian) Civil War where the Bolsheviks werwe fighting the "White Russians", both the UK and the US sent troops to Russia to "safeguard" interests.  When it was inevitable that the Bolsheviks were winning the fight, and oviously not willing/wanting to get into another shooting war, the troops were pulled out.

From then on, "Communist" takeover of the West was a constant threat.

The "Cold War" was inevitable given the level of penetration of Soviet agents and double agents into the Western (ie. UK and US) spheres and intelligence services.  Ex.  Kim Philby and friends were recruited before WW2 as Soviet double agents.  

[RichieB16]

I agree with Felix, there was already some stuff going on before WWII and it was clearly a concern during the war.  A lot of people even believe that part of the reason that President Truman dropped the bomb on Hiroshima was to demonstrate the power of the US to the Soviets.  I don't know if thats true or not, but it is certainly believable.

[Mistral]

From the second Karl Marx started dreaming up his communist ideas i would say the could war was inevitable. It just is not possible to have two such contrasting views, as Capitalism or Communism that will not result in conflict. Both sides were just so keen on spreading their view, at the expense of the other, the distrust which i believe caused the war, was inevitable.

[WebbPA]

Then why isn't the west in a cold war with China now?

Or are we, but it's just extremely cold.

[Felix/FFDS]

Who said we (the US) isn't in a cold war with Europe?

Who said Europe isn't in a cold war with China?

Who said the US/Europe isn't in a cold war with Arabia?

etc
etc
etc

As soon as any country/region etc. has an "us vs them" mentality, and the fists aren't flying, you have a cold war.

[Mistral]

I really dont think it is correct to call China comunist, sure they claim to be but when you actually look into the economics they are not all that different from over here.

I second what Felix said, for the most part of the Cold War there was no military conflict, in fact quite the opposite, there was a complete lack of comunications between the countries, which i am sure some would argue is the exactly what is going one now between the US and China/ N.Korea. Obviously they do talk, but on very superficial subjects, when was the last time you saw the US or China take any notice of each other?

[Felix/FFDS]

Obviously they do talk, but on very superficial subjects, when was the last time you saw the US or China take any notice of each other?

ALL the time .... "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer!"

[Saitek]

True, I believe Churchill said that Russia would be more dangerous than Hitler prior the Second World War. Thankfully the World is safe from a nuclear war as we know it.

[Mistral]

Thankfully the World is safe from a nuclear war as we know it.

  In my opinion i would have to 'beg to differ'. Look at countries like N.Korea which we have literally no contact with. I dont think it is possible to feel safe knowing that countries like them have nuclear capabilities.
  Plus, I would say Bush and his 'war hungry' attitude also poses a great threat to nuclear peace, say in the event of a nuclear attack on the US, be it by terrorists or an unfriendly nation, do you honestly think Bush would not retaliate...

[ATI_7500]

Look at countries like N.Korea which we have literally no contact with.

That's the fault. Don't isolate them. Talk to them. Same applies for terrorist groups.

[Felix/FFDS]

That's the fault. Don't isolate them. Talk to them. Same applies for terrorist groups.

It can be said that Korea has isolated itself, and that terrorist groups are not interested in dialog - "Do as I want and I don't care what you want" is not dialog.

[ATI_7500]

...and that terrorist groups are not interested in dialog

Oh yeah, they're terrorizing people for fun!
If they've got a motive, you've got a reason to talk to them.

"Do as I want and I don't care what you want" is not dialog.

As if...