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Unfortunately, a cold war is not the absence of war; but rather, it is the provocation and funding of ‘hot’ wars by other more powerful countries, or ‘superpowers’. For example, many of the wars in Central America during the 80’s were actually wars between the United States and Russia for control of a region. However, if these ‘superpowers’ were to engage themselves directly, there would be a high danger of it becoming a full nuclear war. If this dangerous game is ‘played’ on the soil of third world countries, then it is unlikely to develop beyond ‘conventional warfare’.
Why do the smaller countries become involved? In many countries, with little or no economic middle class, there is a severe difference between those that have and those that don’t. When those that are stuck at the bottom want to rebel, they look for funding, a sort of war ‘sponsorship’, usually to larger countries. This funding comes at a price, as all funding usually does. They make their alliances, and agree to certain conditions, in order to achieve what they believe to be a higher objective; one important condition of this agreement being, no direct involvement by the sponsor. This helps to avoid a nuclear confrontation. Therefore, although they would prefer complete independence, they are willing to settle for a little less control, in order to make, what they consider to be, other prominent gains. This scenario also works well for those countries (or superpowers) engaged in a ‘cold war’ because they want to expand their own area of influence, without direct confrontation.
Once one 'superpower' is involved, then another will come to the aid (funding) of the opposing side, whether they agree with their philosophical views or not; to prevent the other 'superpower' from gaining control over the region. Thus, you end up with, for example in the 80's, Russia indirectly, but actively, engaged in a 'hot' war with the United States. For each of them, it is a 'cold war' for control. The actual reasons for the war itself, or the philosophies of the rebellion, are of little concern, since the enemy they are really fighting is clear to them; the opposing 'superpower'.
Both sides (the rebels and the superpowers) end up needing each other for victory. And, although it is designed to be a win-win situation, it often becomes a lose-lose situation. Unfortunately, these wars often last for many years, and the toll on the country and its people can be devastating. The people involved end up hating their ‘sponsors’ because the whole process ends up taking much more time, resources, and bloodshed, than they had anticipated. And it’s so much easier to blame their failures on the money-men rather than on themselves, and the deal they originally cut for funding.
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Mike Cartier
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WORLD WAR 3 Carey Ann Hensley | Mar 18th, 2004
Dear Michael,
For someone so young, you show a maturity and intelligence far beyond your years. We are in the middle of World War 3. Nobody will declare it since it is so different from the previous wars.
Wars classically have been fought with specific targets and objectives in mind. That would mean, as you state so perceptively, nuclear war in our time.
Today's war is an "invisible" one because the people involved in fighting it are "terrorists" or other third world clients of the super powers.
We must do everything to avoid the spread of this kind of war since it is possibly the mark of the mankind as we know it.
Don Mersel
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