Lessons of the Cold War - Essay Example

Lessons of the Cold WarThe cold war began shortly after the Second World War. Its main enemies were the Soviet Union and the United States of America. It was named “cold war” was because both sides were afraid to fight each other directly since they were afraid the use of nuclear weapons could have led to enormous destructions. Therefore, they both decided to fight each other indirectly by supporting opposing sides in conflicts globally (Carafano, Cox, and Rosenzweig 27). Moreover, they also invested in the use of war of words as words being their main weapons.

The use of words as the weapon of the cold war aimed at making each side look foolish.Notably, the leaders from both sides changed after a year of the war, but the war continued. Cold war led three main political blocks globally: the pro-America policies, the pro-Soviet Union policies, and the nations that never supported either side. In fighting the war, the first president of the United States into the war, President Harry Truman used a doctrine that was referred to the Truman Doctrine (Carafano, Cox, and Rosenzweig 64).

In his doctrine, Truman supported communism effectively. This made him take control over Greece and Turkey. Additionally, the United States used the Marshall plan that strengthened the government and economies of the countries within Western Europe.The main reason why the nuclear war occurred despite the presence of nuclear weapons in Cuba was that the Soviet United agreed to remove them after the United States had detected their presence. Additionally, both sides agreed to end or ban their nuclear weapon tests above the ground, in space, and under water (Carafano, Cox, and Rosenzweig 231).

There was further ban of deployment and testing of the long distance missiles. Despite the series of agreements, the United States was seen as the winner of the war since during the war it formed ally with numerous, powerful nations and supported numerous other nation that strengthened it support. Moreover, it international or foreign policies seemed to have worked well for it.Despite the direction of analysis, the cold war provided a vivid platform of a framework that helped the America on its modern international relations.

The end of the cold war spurred uncertainty and unrest among different nations and industries; however, it allowed people an opportunity to build their futures form the disenfranchised people (Carafano, Cox, and Rosenzweig 153). Regardless of the lessons learnt, United States must check on its foreign policies especially when dealing with wars. It should not only use its resources in buying allies; thus, it should initiate some other foreign relation mechanisms.Just like the cold war, war on terrorism will be long struggled along different political and socioeconomic ideologies that need strong military campaigns.

However, for the United States to achieve long-term success in the war against terrorism, America must combat on both terrorist and terror groups. The most vital group to reflect on is the wider movement that provides shelter and support to terrorists themselves. The United States may effectively use the lessons learned from the cold car especially on dealing various radical Islamic movements in the same way the communist movement was dealt with in the past (Carafano, Cox, and Rosenzweig 267).

The spirit of nationalism can only fuel this resolution. Though it seems too difficult to achieve, the United States should aim at seeking allies with some Muslim world. Achieving this may also help in solving tensions and wars between Israel and the Arab world.Work CitedCarafano, James J, Christopher Cox, and Paul Rosenzweig. Winning the Long War: Lessons from the Cold War for Defeating Terrorism and Preserving Freedom. Washington, DC: Heritage Books, 2005. Print.