THE COLD WAR AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON WORLD ORDER
By
STRINGREVIEWS
THEME
The differences over distribution of spoils of 2nd World War and emergence of new super powers created a paradigm of bipolarity in the world. This paradigm was manifested in the form of Cold War between USA and erstwhile USSR and the remaining world by and large revolved around these poles of power. Many regions became battle grounds for the conflict of ideologies and political and economic philosophies. Notwithstanding conflicts of super powers ,Cold War guaranteed some global stability .Third World countries had the facility of linking their interests with those of super powers and seeking protection through it .The break up of Soviet Union in 1990 ended this balance of power and ushered a phase of wholesome American hegemony. Analyze the role played by the Cold War from 1945 to 1990 with focus on its impact on the world order, its criticality in maintenance of stability in the world and also highlight the benefits of bipolarity for the week nations of the world.
ABSTRACT
The 2nd world war gave birth to Cold War .During this period which lasted till 1990, by and large, the world got divided in opposing camps of USA and USSR .The basis of division were either ideological alignment or political expediency. The period of Cold War was characterized by bitter struggle between two super powers for hegemony in various parts of the world and the dangers of a catastrophic nuclear war. Despite these problems, the Cold War era maintained equilibrium of power and safeguarded the interests of many smaller states by affording them an opportunity to align themselves with one or the other super powers. The end of Cold War has given rise to the ugly phenomenon of unilateralism by USA, the manifestations of which have already begun to destabilize many regions of the world.The events unfolded since the beginning of Cold War till the demise of USSR were studied to understand the dynamics of conflict. Special emphasis was laid on the forms and manifestations of Cold War in various regions of Third World countries .Divergent points of views i.e. of Western, communist and of antagonistic Third World countries were studied to find out philosophies and interests which were instrumental in the proliferation of conflict across five continents of the world. Contrary to popular perception that the Cold War was an anathema to global peace and a stumbling block in the prosperity of mankind, the study reveals that the Cold War was a blessing in disguise especially for Third World countries. It prevented unilateralism, the exhibition of which breeds discontentment and push the aggrieved towards violence. The study also reveals that the Cold War prevented the rise of regional hegemons, who, now at the behest of the ultimate hegemon, are using the instrument of coercion to settle disputes with their smaller or weaker neighbours.
PREFACE
I and many others had known Cold War in early part of our youth as a menace to world peace and stability, the ill effects of which, had kept Pakistan also in turmoil. The Western media made every one believe that the confrontation between East and West was highly destabilizing and a great hurdle in international development and harmony. When Cold War ended in early 90s, it was widely regarded as a development of immense importance and world was predicted to usher in an era of peace and prosperity. Weaker nations of the world pinned great hopes for the future and dreamt of an international order based on justice, equality and mutual respect. Now watching the world bowing to the dictates of a coercive hegemon, USA, many in Third World countries, would rather wish to see times of Cold War back. Our goal for this research was to present the events of Cold War, analyse the pattern of world order during Cold War and highlight its benefits for the Third World countries. The paper has focused on historical development of Cold War, its proliferation in the Third World and the diplomacy of Cold War. One would not find it difficult to conclude that weaker nations of the world especially those fearing external aggression felt much more secure during Cold War era, thanks to their alignment with one or the other super powers. They also benefited from Cold War in economic terms and were able to develop at a pace faster than could be witnessed now days. Research hopefully, would establish the absolute necessity of balance of power at the world stage for a desirable world order, magnanimous and reassuring for the Third World countries.
23 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1. The destruction of Berlin wall in the late 1989 symbolically represented the end of Cold War, a paradigm which sustained the world for almost half a century. The era of Cold War began after 2nd world war and was marked by ideological and geopolitical struggle between USA and USSR .The world in general and USA and West Europe in particular heaved a sigh of relief and celebrated the event with great hopes for a peaceful future. George Bush senior expressed his desire of building New World Order from the ashes of Cold War, an order that would bring peace and stability to the world. A new era of unipolarity or mutipolarity instead of bipolarity was expected to heal the scars of Cold War and usher an era of global peace and tranquillity.
2. Only a decade later, all dreams and aspirations of peace and stability after the end of Cold War seem vanquished. The New World Order has manifested itself as a menace to world peace and stability in a manner that it reminds people of Cold War era as a blessing. The sole global power USA has not been able to display maturity and responsibility in dealing with world affairs and continues to be driven by the mindset of Cold War sans the balancing power of USSR .This arbitrary and unbridled display of power has created resentment amongst many cultural and political communities of the world and has plunged the world into much more chaos and instability than was witnessed during Cold War.3. The menace of terrorism is the direct outcome of singular hegemony of USA and its careless and insensitive use. The freedom movements all over the world have been another causality of New World Order and are now often being equated with terrorism. The universal acceptance of the right to use violence in the pursuit of fundamental rights is being denounced by the regional hegemons at the behest of USA. The resultant dissatisfaction especially amongst the Muslim countries has started to plunge the world into instability and turmoil. The problems of New World Order make one seriously reflect on the Cold War era and recount its blessings especially for the weaker nations of the world.Aim4. The aim of this paper is to analyze the role of Cold War from 1945 to 1990 in maintaining stability in the world and highlight the benefits of bipolarity for the weak nations of the world.
CHAPTER II
THE ORIGINS OF COLD WAR
5. The End of 2nd World War. The defeat of Axis powers in the 2nd world war and depletion of British and French colonial empires gave rise to the emergence of new global powers .USA, who played a decisive role in the termination of the Great War through its economic strength, geographical immunity and military might was a natural leader of nations. The great determination displayed by Soviet nation in their victory against the fascist Germany of Adolph Hitler gave them a great leverage in world affairs .Both the countries were very quick to realize their great potentials, established themselves as rival super powers and embarked upon a policy of neutralization and mutual attrition. The emergence of USA and USSR as super powers and the origin of Cold War are explained in succeeding paragraphs.
6. Enlargement of Moscow’s Empire. The traditional boundary of the Russian empire and of its Soviet successor had been roughly along the line extending from Eastern Baltic to the Black sea .West of that line there had, in recent times been an unhappy group of buffer states: Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and the Balkans. West of buffer states had been Germany, Austria, Italy and France. Traditionally the gigantic power of Russia had been contained by one or a combination of great West European powers. Before 2nd world war this role was performed by Germany. Germany’s defeat in the 2nd world war gave USSR an opportunity to establish his influence in the buffer states and even beyond it.[1] They, in 1945, were in occupation of all Poland, of Germany till a line 100 miles West of Berlin, of Hungary and of Eastern part of Austria. They were in occupation of Rumania and Bulgaria and in ideological control of Yugoslavia .So in a way the Soviets had occupied Eastern half of the Europe and the Western half was threatened by the prospect of West ward Soviet expansion. The US army had affected a rapid withdrawal after the German defeat and the West Europe now laid prostrate .This new challenge to the balance of power in European continent and the reaction of the Atlantic world under American leadership formed a major reason for the beginning of Cold War.
7. Russian Behaviour Due to its Historical Experience. Despite the October revolution of 1917 and transformation of Russian society into a communist one, the Soviet geopolitical behaviour was driven by their historic feeling of insecurity .The basic factor in producing this national sense of insecurity has been geographical limitation of absence of natural frontiers to serve for the defence of Russia .Thus necessity of a Soviet sphere of influence in Eastern Europe followed logically from the Soviets’ view of their own history[2] .The communists displayed the zeal equal to that of Czars to achieve security by expanding the Russian space[3].German invasions in 1st and 2nd world wars only amplified Russian insecurities and incited her to undertake multidirectional expansion initiating a reaction from USA and West in the shape of Cold War.
8. USA as Balancer of power. British naval supremacy in the period intervening between two world wars was challenged by German, Japanese and US navies. German war waging capability, though self destructive broke the back of UK and France, the traditional old powers. USA, notwithstanding the advices of its founding fathers, had to intervene to rescue the allies against Fascist Hitler in 2nd World War. After the war .UK was no more in a position to act as a balancer of power, a role it played throughout 19th century. It lost almost all of its colonies and was itself in the danger of communist onslaught .USA, enjoying geographical safety, enormity of size, abundance of resources and technical prowess, was a natural replacement[4]. USA, which had to indulge itself in last two wars without really wanting to, also decided to perform more proactive role in world power politics and contain the menace of communism. Assumption of such a role by her became one of the reasons of Cold War.
9. Russian Expansion in the Far East. The city of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were destroyed by US nuclear bombs and so was the Japanese will to fight .Russians benefited from the Japanese collapse and occupied Manchuria and almost half of Korea, the Kurile Islands and Southern half of Sakhalin islands. Soviet Union’s expansionist policy in the Far East made Western countries apprehensive and forced them to think of containing USSR[5]. 10. Marshal Plan and Soviet Reaction. Secretary Marshal of USA conceived a plan for the economic recovery of Europe after the 2nd world war and Soviet Union was also invited to be a part of it .Soviet Union, however, refused to be part of any American sponsored programme and also did not allow its protégé East European countries to participate[6]. Europe was thus divided in USA led West Europe and USSR led East Europe .USSR was accused by West of trying to sabotage the implementation of Marshall Plan through communist strikes and disorders[7]. Nevertheless the Marshal plan succeeded and created a sense of gratitude in West Europe for USA and made them permanent allies in war against communist bloc.
11. Ideological Conflict the most obvious element of continuity in post war East –West relations was ideological face off between communism and democratic capitalism. Both the powers as defenders of their respective ideologies were convinced of mutual incompatibility of the two systems[8]. But many historians believe that in the context of Cold War, ideological difference does not explain every thing[9].Traditional power rivalry and geopolitical factors were actually the main factors in the breakdown of wartime alliance between USA and Soviet Union. CHAPTER III
EVENTS OF COLD WAR
12. The Beginning of Cold War. Germany, the losing power of the 2nd world war was divided between the victors. The Western portion held by USA, France and UK while the Eastern portion was usurped by Soviet Union. Strains in the unnatural alliance of 2nd World War were already visible, when the currency reform introduced by the Atlantic forces in its part of Germany infuriated Soviet Union. The Soviets blockaded West Berlin on June 24, 1948 with a hope to starve West out of Berlin. The West tackled the embargo by one of the biggest logistical operations, involving air lifting of massive food supplies to the Berliners. This was an expensive operation and the West suffered causalities in hundreds, in the form of accidents and crashes.
13. The Nuclear Rivalry. In August 1949, the Soviet Union was able to break American monopoly on nuclear bomb. The acquisition of nuclear capability by Soviet Union strengthened the prospects of its emergence as a capable rival of USA .By 1952; USA developed and tested the Hydrogen bomb, a milestone which the Soviets were able to match many years later. They, however, took the lead by test firing first Inter continental missile of the World in 1957.
14. The Korean War. Like the defeat of Germany, the Japanese power in Korea was defeated by the combined efforts of USA and USSR during 2nd World War. The victors here also agreed to divide the nation along 38th parallel as a temporary measure. Communist Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the north and anti- communist Republic of Korea in the south were created. Leaders of both Koreas looked grudgingly at each other and dreamt of reunifying the country with force. North Korea invaded South on June, 1950.A force composed of contingents of 16 nations, but dominated by USA, was formed by UNO and dispatched to South Korea. After initial difficulties ,USA led force was able to roll back communist advance .Communist China entered the war by sending 50,000 volunteers to support the North Koreans, while the Soviet Union provided all kinds of support to its communist allies[10]. Chinese entry tilted the balance once again in the favour of communist forces and UN forces went back southwards. The war turned into a painful stalemate at 38th parallel, almost where it had started[11]. The cease fire was reached upon in July 1953, though Korea remains divided to date.
15. NATO and Warsaw Pact. In September, 1953 the West Germany was admitted to NATO and 1955 it was allowed to maintain its army by the Atlantic powers. Soviet Union considered it a potential threat and responded by making Warsaw Pact, a formal military alliance of East European communist states giving more formal shape to Cold War’s military dimension.
16 The Berlin Wall .By 1961, the flow of refugees from East to West Berlin due to prosperity and freedom of West Germany, had become a torrent. On the morning of August 13, 1961, East German and Soviet troops sealed the East Berlin side of the border, closing crossing points and erecting barricades. Berlin was divided. Angry West Berliners demonstrated against the division of their city, a divide that separated many families. The West was unsure how to react as their rights within Berlin had not been challenged by the Soviets. For next three decades, the wall remained a symbol of the Cold War’s cruelty and Europe’s division. Its message was a bitter one: Whatever happened beyond that line, the West might lament, but would not interfere.
17. The Cuban Crisis. USA established economic interests in Cuba in 1940s and 50s. Cuban land and industry were almost entirely owned by U.S corporations. When Fidel Castro established his hold in Havana, his revolutionary ideas hurt the American interests[12] .He nationalized millions of acres of land previously held by American companies and distributed to the people. Soviet Union quickly embraced the revolutionary in American backyard. The confrontation reached to a stage that the Americans attempted to overthrow Castro through invasion at Bay of Pigs, which failed. Nikita Khrushchev offered to deploy Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba to thwart any further American attempts. After initial resistance, Castro accepted. With nuclear warheads less than 100 miles from the United States, the Soviets had the ability to strike without warning. President Kennedy of USA demanded the removal of missiles from Cuba. For several days the world held its breath as the United States and Soviet Union appeared to be moving towards a war[13]. In October 1961, an agreement was reached upon between two super powers as a result of which USSR lifted its missiles from Cuba and USA did so in Turkey. The crisis was over, but both sides were well aware how close they had come to nuclear annihilation.
18. The Vietnam War. Vietnam, a French colony till 1954 was divided between communist-led North and non-communist South. The revolutionary policies pursued by Hochi Min in North Vietnam were in contrast with those of anti-communist regime of South, supported by France and USA .North encouraged and supported by Moscow and Peking formed a Guerrilla organization Viet Kong to fight South .USA gradually got involved directly in the conflict. Americans suffered heavy causalities during war and government faced strong domestic pressure to end the war .USSR and China assisted Viet Cong in all possible way, USA was humbled and had to make an exit leaving entire Vietnam with Communists in 1972. This was perhaps the most significant communist victory of the Cold War.
19. The Realization of Dangers .In October 1962, the Cuban missile crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. Though the crisis was finally resolved, both sides realized as how close they were to a mutually destructive war. They set up a “hot line,” a direct communications link between the Soviet and U.S. capitals. Several months later, the Soviet Union, United States and Britain agreed to a Limited Test Ban Treaty, ending atmospheric tests. A grim logic was beginning to emerge. Nuclear disarmament was not achievable, yet nuclear war was unthinkable. During Cold War nuclear weapons created a shared interest between Soviet Union and United States in each other’s survival[14].
20. Arms Limitation and Reduction. Notwithstanding the realization of dangers, both sides continued to stockpile weapons of mass destruction .Their attempts to take scientific lead over the other were destabilizing MAD. Tension became high again during 1967 Arab –Israel war and accelerated the arms race. By 1969, superpowers were spending more than $50 million a day on nuclear armaments. It was a burden, both sides found intolerable, and it led to negotiations on SALT (the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks). SALT dragged on till 1972, though two sides could not reach a lasting agreement and peace but the efforts towards arms reduction continued from then onwards and are even being made now by USA and Russia, the inheritor of Soviet stockpiles.
21. The Détente. By the end of the 1960s, the United States and Soviet Union faced a choice: slow down their Cold War competition, a process that would be called détente or continue an arms race that could end in all-out war. Both the countries opted for the first choice[15] .The process of negotiations was facilitated by Mr. Willy Brandt; the West German Chancellor .He also undertook certain diplomatic initiatives which eased tensions between two Germanys. His effort bore fruit and both the countries agreed to reduce nuclear weapons, laying the foundation for détente. The agreement was symbolically represented through the Apollo-Soyuz project. In space, cooperation was replacing years of Cold War confrontation.
22. The Cold War in Middle East. The Cold War did not remain restricted to East Europe. It proliferated in five continents of the world barring Australia and Antarctica. In 1956, Egyptian President Jamal Abdul Nasser nationalized Suez Canal and was attacked by Israel, France and Great Britain. Egyptian forces suffered heavy losses and it was a Soviet ultimatum to France and Britain, which ended war. Egypt then turned towards USSR for arms and economic assistance. In 1967, Israel fearing Arab attacks pre-empted and mauled the Arab forces. It also occupied large chunks of Egyptian, Jordanian and Syrian territories. Jamal’s successor, Anwar Sadat felt that Russians were not forthcoming in their assistance to Arabs due to their interests in Détente and ordered expulsion of Soviet military advisers. . Sadat’s break with Moscow ultimately led to a large arms deal with the Soviet Union. This, he put to use in October 1973 and attacked Israel. Early Egyptian successes were blunted by Israeli counter offensive, made possible by increased supplies of arms to Israel by USA. A cease fire was facilitated by US Secretary of State between Egypt and Israel and the process finally culminated in Camp David accord in 1978, proving US pre-eminence in Middle East[16].
23. The Conflict in Angola. When Portugal withdrew in 1975 from Angola, three rival factions started bitter struggle for supremacy. The MPMLA was left wing, supported by USSR and even more intimately by Cuba. Other two were supported by USA. Out of the two, more prominent was UNITA which was supported by South Africa at the behest of USA. The left wing group was able to establish itself at the capital but the bitter struggle still continues, itself outlasting the Cold War.
24. The Conflict in Horn of Africa. In 1977 U.S. and Soviet attention shifted to Horn of Africa. In Ethiopia, Emperor Haile Selassie had been deposed and replaced by Marxists. The new regime turned against the United States — expelling Americans and ending the U.S. aid program. Neighbouring Somalia had been a Soviet ally for years, and its army was equipped with Soviet weapons. But now that Moscow was also linked with Ethiopia, the Somalis considered turning to Washington. Though Washington discouraged Somalia from war against Ethiopia, yet it did so and seized large tracts of the Ogaden desert in July 1977. Soviet Union supported Ethiopia with weapons and Cuban troops. Ethiopians were able to recapture their territory but this trouble, affected détente negatively. .
25. Central America. Central America, Caribbean and South America also became battlegrounds for a test of wills between the United States and the U.S.S.R. After World War II, growing nationalism in Central and South America led to greater resentment against the United States, whose government and business interests dominated the region. Anti American sentiments in Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua resulted in communists threatening and at times taking over governments supported by USA. The communists were supported by USSR and more enthusiastically by Cuba. These conflicts continued till the end of Cold War and had their own shadows on relationship between two super powers. 26. The Polish Solidarity. In 1980s, Soviets faced a fresh challenge in the East Europe, this time in Poland. The Polish economy was in crisis and wide spread unrest resulted into a movement of shipyard workers, named Solidarity, becoming representative of the aspirations of Polish people. The Soviets responded in their typical way, forcing the puppet regime to impose Martial Law and adopt violent ways to crush the uprising. Support for Solidarity grew throughout Poland. Hard line policies adopted by new US President Reagan boosted the morale of Polish people and it fractured East – West relations once more.
27. Soviet Bear in Afghanistan. Afghanistan , due to its strategic location – proximity to Persian gulf oil and Indian ocean ports ,was vital to Soviet interests .Afghanistan’s socialist party overthrew the Government in 1978 and Soviet Union sent hundreds of advisers to support the regime. The socialist reforms of the new government were strongly resisted by the tribal and religious population which took up arms against the puppet regime. Hundred of thousands fled to neighbouring Pakistan and Iran. The intensity of resistance movement forced Soviet Union to send their troops in support of puppet regime. Americans viewed socialist Afghanistan along with post Shah Iran as serious threat to American interests in the region and started covert support of Mujahadeens, fighting against the Kabul regime with the active assistance of Pakistan. Soviet invasion of a country other than an East European one had rung alarm bells in Washington. Money and weapons were channelled to Menhaden through Pakistan and Soviet forces were bled in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan. Soviet casualties ran into thousands and soldiers had no motivation to fight a pointless battle. By the mid of 1980s, the Soviets wanted to reconcile and pull their forces out but Americans wanted a revenge of Vietnam and humiliation of Soviet Union. Meanwhile, U.N. officials pressed on with peace talks. By April 1988, an agreement was signed in Geneva allowing Moscow to withdraw its troops.., Afghanistan was to endure more years of bloodshed in the form of infighting between Mujahadeen groups .and has seen much more misery and destruction ,a legacy of Cold War,
28. Soviet Loss of East Europe. Soviet retreat in Afghanistan had exacerbated the discontentment prevailing due to extreme economic hard ships within Soviet Union .The communist regimes of East Europe came under increasing pressures due to economic problems and absence of freedom. Hungary , Czechoslovakia ,Poland and Romania threw away communist regimes one after the other .The reformist Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev did not react violently .He had a full measure of Soviet Union’s economic difficulties and USA’s importance in solving its economic difficulties. East Germany threw away communist baggage in 1989 and the Berlin wall was fatefully demolished by angry demonstrators to reunite Germany.
29. The Break up of Soviet Union. Encouraged by the changes in East Europe and facing extreme economic problems, the three Baltic states of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia declared their independence in 1990. Gorbachev suggested introducing multi party system in Soviet Union. He also gave sovereignty to Soviet states and accepted the principle of freedom of worship. The states including Russia were, however, dissatisfied with his pace of reform and started disassociating themselves from the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union ceased to exist On December 25, 1991. In Washington, Bush made his Christmas address and announced to the world that the Cold War confrontation between the two superpowers, which had dominated world affairs for 45 years – was now over. The West felt that the democracy had won their political argument with the East, the market had won the economic argument .While the difficulties lay ahead, the fundamental debate that created the Cold War ,had finished.[17]
CHAPTER IVPATTERNS OF CONFLICT
30. Weapons of Mass Destruction. The Cold War era was marked by intense hostility between the two super powers. They fought a war of political supremacy almost every where in the world. The requirements of this war demanded from these powers not to lag behind the other in stockpiling of weapons of mass destruction. Military might was initially used as a measure to gain political ascendancy and then it became an essential requirement for peace through maintenance of deterrence. Nuclear weapons were used as currency of power but ultimately they played a crucial role in conflict prevention or containment.
31. Competition in Space. The dynamics of Cold War included intense scientific competition and propagation of technical ascendancy over the other power .The initial lead of the Soviets worried the USA and its allies and efforts were made to blunt this communist edge over them. In 1980s, President Reagan’s plans for the Star Wars worried the Soviets and they found themselves economically unable the match the American plans.
32. Communist Expansion. Soviet Union being the birth place of communism took upon itself the propagation of communist philosophy and expansion of communist frontiers. After establishing its hold in East Europe, she turned to Latin America, Asia and Africa and provided very active support to leftists and revolutionaries in these continents. USA embarked upon a policy of containment of communism and aided the governments in such countries to combat communists .They also propped up rival rebel groups like in Angola and Nicaragua where communist groups held power. Soviet Union found more than an enthusiastic partner in revolutionary Cuba, willing to send its forces any where in the world.
33. Conflict in Third World. As mentioned earlier, communist expansion and its contention by West took the Cold War in almost every continent. The Third World was subjected to the machinations of super powers at the cost of democracy and economic prosperity .Where MAD prevented any serious conflict directly between the super powers or in Europe, the developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America became battle grounds of Cold War. Those who saw Cold War as predominantly responsible for conflict in the Third World expected strife in these countries to reduce after the end of Cold War[18]34. Use of Veto Power. Both the super powers frequently made use of the right of Veto power to sustain hostility and neutralize the interests of the other power. The excessive and indiscriminate use of this veto power undermined the ability of UNO to play an appropriate role in conflict prevention and resolution across the globe.35. Policy of Alliances. Cold War was sustained in various parts of the world through alliances by both the super powers. In Europe, the battle lines were drawn between NATO and Warsaw Pact, where as in Asia, USA formed CEATO and CENTO to contain the Southward expansion of communism. Cuba served Soviet interests in the backyard of USA .Egypt; Syria, Libya and Iraq were Soviet allies for most part of the Cold War whereas Israel served American interests in the region. Paradoxically some Arab states like Jordan and Arabian Peninsular kingdoms allied themselves with USA though having great sympathy for anti –Israel cause of the Arab world. Pakistan and pre- revolution Iran remained American allies while India despite pretending to be neutral was profoundly pro- Soviet. This division of world in every region was not mainly due to ideological reasons rather for the vested interests of regional antagonists. These regional allies were aided and armed by super powers and indulged in many conflicts at the expense of peace. Only the post-Cold War events were to show that instability may also take birth due to unbridled display of power, as manifested by New World Order.
CHAPTER-VBENEFITS OF COLD WAR FOR THE THIRD WORLD
36. Cold War as a Stabilizing Factor. As mentioned, earlier during Cold War the super powers sought regional allies and armed them sufficiently. This helped weaker countries in the region while facing threat from a stronger enemy to become able to thwart aggression .After the comprehensive defeat of Arab countries in war of 1967, they were able to regroup themselves due to massive Soviet military aid and unleash a war against Israel with a degree of success in 1973 which forced Israel to return occupied Sinai peninsula and West bank territory to Egypt and Jordan respectively, bringing some stability in troubled Middle East. Attainment of this kind of regional balances prevented many conflicts in the world, though it is possible only to realize that now when unrestrained and arbitrary use of power by USA has plunged the world in greater instability and much more widened conflict. The need for aligning with one of the super powers was best described by President Qaddafi of Libya when he said that “When Palestinians face their enemy, Israel, they face the United States. That means this occupied Palestine you call Israel is like a state of USA. We are obliged to look for an ally to face this super power, and of course, the Soviet Union is our friend”[19]. .During Cold War, the right of veto was also exercised by super powers at UN Security Council in favour of their client states to avert or contain conflicts in troubled regions; Middle East is the most visible case in point. Attainment of military and diplomatic balance by antagonists of many regions prevented and contained conflicts in their regions.
37. Dominance of the Will of the People. Cold War not only played its role in maintaining stability through preventing and containing conflicts in various regions of the world ,it also ensured that the people oppressed by a particular dominant group in a country were not left alone . American invasion of Vietnam was blunted by Communist support to Viet Cong guerrillas and Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was repelled by active American support to Mujahedeen .So while Cold War might have initiated many intra-national conflicts ,it also ensured that only the group enjoying popular support became victorious at the end and the usurper groups were defeated .
38. Containment of Nuclear Proliferation Although the world faced the dangers of nuclear war during Cold War, yet the end of Cold War has had a contradictory impact on horizontal nuclear proliferation. It has increased the sense of insecurity of Third World countries, thus enhancing their security incentives to go nuclear[20].For this reason, many argue that bipolarity of Cold War era contained regional conflicts and nuclear proliferation. Emergence of Pakistan and India as overt nuclear powers due to their antagonism with in a decade of end of Cold War only substantiates their arguments.
39. Effects of Cold War in South Asia. Cold War did cast its shadows on South Asia also. The hostility between Pakistan and India over unresolved Kashmir dispute and Pakistan’s perceived weakness against India brought Cold War to South Asia. Pakistan due to its geo –strategic location was of interest to USA for containment of Communism. The events of 1980s in Afghanistan did prove accuracy of American reading of Soviet designs in the region. Pakistan became a member of CEATO and CENTO in 1950s and through American military aid was able to establish effective armed forces to counter Indian threat. India by simple logic became a beneficiary of Soviet arm supplies and its professed non- alignment became questionable[21]. The rout of Indian Army in Sino-Chinese war of 1962 brought a qualitative shift in Cold War paradigm that prevailed in South Asia. This was a time when China had lost the good will of big communist brother i.e. Soviet Union and USA was still to establish a working relationship with China. This reflected in both Soviet Union and USA giving military aid to India against Chinese threat which was ultimately used in war against Pakistan. The Sino –Indian war thus complicated Cold War in South Asia to the advantage of India in Pakistani perspective. Pakistan again became a front line state in war against communism when Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in late Seventies and redressed its conventional military imbalance against India to quite an extent bringing stability to the region.
40. Cold War for Third World. The above arguments would substantiate to quite an extent that Cold War was not entirely an evil for the Third World, it may rather have proved blessing in many a dimensions. In the context of regional conflicts, weaker powers were able to benefit from the military aid received from one or the other Cold War rivals by way of coinciding interests. They also received economic aid and help in the establishment of industries from super powers because of their competing interests. .Super powers at times also tried to keep their backyards stable to preclude the chances of the entry of other super power. Soviet role in Tashkent Declaration between Pakistan and India is a case in point. For similar reasons the Third World did not enthusiastically welcome the US vision of New World Order when it was proclaimed by President Bush on the eve of Gulf war[22]. CHAPTER -VIAFTER THE COLD WAR.
41. Emergence of New World Order. . The US President George Bush senior celebrated the end of Cold War by saying that “We have a new credibility and that dictators and tyrants every where know that what we say goes on”. This statement and his conduct of Gulf war only revealed seamiest side of Western civilization, its unrestricted appetite for dominance, its morbid fascination for hi-tech military might, its insensitivity to alien cultures and its appalling jingoism. Third World leaders quickly understood that that Bush’s words were not directed to dictators and tyrants, but to any one who stepped out of line. Since then USA has acted in a unilateral manner being insensitive to the aspirations and feelings of the people belonging to other nations and cultures. This unabashed use of unilateralism has created resentment in various parts of the world and the so called problem of terrorism has arisen as a reaction.
42. Regional Hegemons. Since the demise of bipolarity , the regional hegemons finding quick convergence of interest with USA , have intensified their efforts to bully their smaller or weaker adversaries ,India and Israel are cases in point .The weaker Third World countries which could balance out the power of regional hegemons by linking their interest with that of a super power, have no such facility available any more .There is increasing high handedness in the attitude and tenor of regional hegemons and their opposing countries are increasingly vulnerable to dangers of subjugation. The prospects of peace in South Asia and Middle East have deteriorated since the demise of Cold War and wars seem much more likely.
43. Freedom Movements after the Cold War. The era of Cold War showed much better understanding of the dynamics of freedom movements’ .Freedom movements, the world over, got support of a super power or the other, during Cold War period perhaps except Kashmir. Kashmir movement could also be termed as an indirect beneficiary in a sense that American arms supplies to Pakistan during initial and final stages of Cold War prevented India for attempting to solve the problem once and for all. At the same time, Soviet support to India also prevented any meaningful advancement on the Kashmir dispute. Generally speaking, Cold War era was a better time for freedom movements the world over .Freedom movements in Africa, Vietnam and reformist revolutions in many parts of the world fared much better in Cold War times due to competing interests of the super powers. Now the sole power’s obsession with terrorism incites it to quickly label freedom movements as terrorist activities.
44. Loss of Geopolitical importance of Previous Allies. The end of Cold War resulted in loss or reduction of geopolitical importance of many countries like Turkey, Pakistan and Somalia. These countries either went through turbulent times after the end of Cold War or had to re-orient their policies significantly to remain relevant to the world. This re-orientation of policies had been, in some cases, with out any deliberations and pushed these countries in further troubles, Pakistan’s adoption of a flawed policy in Afghanistan could be attributed to its reaction to reduction in its geopolitical importance after Cold War .The apathy displayed by the world after Cold War towards Afghanistan and Somalia was also due to loss of their geopolitical importance.
45. Diminished Role of UNO. The UNO may have never had desired effectiveness, yet its role after Cold War has been that of a pliant organization of USA. Veto power is hardly being exercised by any permanent member of Security Council ,not that all is well with the world ,but because USA has grown too dominant and no one is ready to risk its annoyance .USA no more feels the necessity of getting the UN’s mandate for its actions may these be military ones. It uses its economic leverage over UNO to exploit it for the furtherance of its interests.
46. The Clash of Civilizations. The base of rivalry between West and East during the times of Cold War was ideological conflict. Capitalism and Communism clashed for supremacy over each other. USA in order to justify and reinforce its hegemony had to look for an enemy .Paul Huntington’s famous theory of clash of civilization did the trick for USA. By suggesting that in future ,world would be polarized along cultural lines and that the Islam would emerge as potential threat to American civilization, he provided the enemy ,USA so desperately needed after the retreat of communism. This view builds on the hoary argument that Islam is pre-eminently concerned with the creation of universal Muslim community and is intolerant of those who are not Muslims[23]. The events since the end of cold war have followed the pattern, Huntington had suggested .The events of 9/11 have reinforced US perceptions of danger and it has unleashed a war against Muslim civilization in the garb of combating terrorism.
47. Likely Hood of Increasing Conflicts. The operation of security dilemma between the state especially Third World countries is likely to be intense as they begin to arm competitively to safeguard their territorial and ethnic disputes .All these conflicts will make effective economic reform impossible ,resulting in hyper inflation ,wide spread famine ,and the reduction of economic activity. Nuclear weapons may fall into the hands of ruthless leaders willing or desperate enough to use them in war or for nuclear blackmail[24].
48. End of Cold War-A Sceptical View. Communism may have finished and communist economic philosophy may have no more remained a threat to capitalist, free market economy yet Russia still remains a power .Merely its size, stockpiles of nuclear weapons it holds, makes it a potential adversary as and when it overcomes its economic morass. The unilateral policies being pursued by USA have caused tremors in Continental Europe and a fast unifying Europe does not view many American actions, justified or prudent. China, though dormant, at the moment is not at ease with USA and has great potential to challenge American hegemony in future. Muslim though apparently incompatible at present may be spurred by continuous attacks on its values and ethos and collide seriously with US interests in future. Any political upheavals in decadent Muslim societies will reflect on the nature of their relationship with USA.[25]The theory of “End of history” propounded by Francis Fukiyama only appears to be an oversimplification.
CONCLUSION
49. The Cold War between two super powers remained dominant international power paradigm for about half a century .The era was marked with intense struggle for supremacy between two super powers. Rest of the world was also plunged into the crises generated by Cold War every now and then and especially Europe lived in constant fear and insecurity during Cold War. The demise of the Cold War was supposed to be the harbinger of peace and stability and provide justice and equitable world order. Now only a decade later, all such hopes have been vanquished .Wars are taking place with same frequency and the sole power has failed to bring justice and equality in the world order. The counter balancing force of USSR is no more available to inject sanity and caution in US actions. Regional hegemons have found a happy union with the ultimate hegemon and embarked upon a vicious path of destroying the aspirations of hapless people through the instrument of state terrorism. The hindsight suggests that Cold War was rather a blessing than a menace for the world.
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14. www. Historychannel.com
[1] Louis J .Halle, The Cold War as History (New York: Harper& Row, 1967) P.1.
[2] Bruce R .Kuniholm, The Origins of the First Cold War, Published in the Cold War Past and Present. (London: Allen and Unwin,1987) P.46.
[3] Louis J .Halle, The Cold War as History (New York: Harper& Row, 1967) P.11.
[4] Marshall R .Singer, Weak States in a World of Power (New York: Free Press, 1972) P.79.
[5] Louis J.Halle, the Cold War as History (New York: Harper & Row, 1967) P.98.
[6] D.F Fleming .The Cold War and its Origins Volume One. (New York:Doubleday,1961) P.507.
[7] Louis J .Halle, The Cold War as History (New York: Harper& Row, 1967) P.123.
[8] Louis J .Halle, The Cold War as History (New York: Harper& Row, 1967) P.50.
[9] Richard Crockatt.The Cold War Past and Present. (London: Allen and Unwin,1987) P.10.
[10] Louis J.Halle, The Cold War as History (New York: Harper& Row, 1967) P.213.
[11] John Sharnik, Inside the Cold War. . (New York :Arbor House,1987) P.68.
[12] John Sharnik, Inside the Cold War. . (New York :Arbor House,1987) P.108.
[13] Louis J .Halle, The Cold War as History (New York: Harper& Row, 1967) P.400.
[14] Nicholas J Wheeler and Ken Booth .The Security Dilemma .Published in Dilemmas of World Politics (Oxford: Calerendon, 1992) P.49.
[15] Phil Williams, the United States and Détente, Published in the Cold War Past and Present. (London: Allen and Unwin,1987) P.114.
[16] John Sharnik, Inside the Cold War. . (New York :Arbor House,1987) P.291.
[17] Arthur Schlesinger, Jr, Lessons from the Cold War, published in “The End of Cold War “(New York: Cambridge) P.62.
[18] Robert Jarvis, A Usable past for the Future, published in “The End of Cold War “(New York: Cambridge) P.62.
[19] President Muammar Qaddafi quoted in John Sharnik, Inside the Cold War. . (New York :Arbor House,1987) P.321.
[20] Mario E, Carranza, Indo Pakistani Nuclear Relations after the Cold War ,Published in published in South Asia Approaches the Millennium .(Lahore:Vanguard,1996) P.104.
[21] A. Martin Wainwright, Regional Security and Paramount Powers, published in South Asia Approaches the Millennium. (Lahore:Vanguard,1996) P.55.
[22] Noam Chomsky, A view from Below, published in “The End of Cold War “(New York: Cambridge) P.137.
[23] James Piscatori. Islam and World Politics , Published in Dilemmas of World Politics(New York: Oxford ,1992 ) P.316
[24] Erric Herring .The Collapse of the Soviet Union, Published in Dilemmas of World Politics (New York: Oxford, 1992) P.379.
[25] John Baylis, Dilemmas of World Politics (New York: Oxford) P.367.
Thekhans's Weblog 
August 18, 2007 at 8:13 pm |
Good work
August 18, 2007 at 8:15 pm |
good job done
August 22, 2007 at 5:49 pm |
its quiet informative article for the people who try to study the polarization concept of the world…