Does anyone feel safer in the post Cold War world?

CPO Joseph Grant — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 10:31:44 -0400

At least during the Cold War both power blocs understood the "rules" of the game. In this day and age it seems that we face more threats due to the power vacuum that the fall of the Soviet Union created. Your thoughts?

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made Jul 15 at 2015 10:49 AM

MSgt Robert Pellam — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 10:49:26 -0400

Excellent question. I had to sit back and think after I read it. Do I feel safer today then 25 years ago?
Well to address the power vacuum that the Soviets left, I don't think it was that disruptive. All it did was allow the U.S. to focus on more of the minor players. We allowed China to grow economically in the 90's but they still lack advanced military strategies, tactics, and technology. The middle east is in its normal cycle. War, peace, blame, war. Through History, the middle east has been pretty much a zone of Chaos. Russia, is trying to project power like it did in the Soviet era. But their poorly maintained equipment is failing them. More Russian Air Force Pilots have lost their lives in the last 2 months to accidents then we have lost in the last 2 years. The European Union would be a major power, but honestly they still hold underlying grudges that are still blocking them from truly combining to be a world power. Japan is trying to reemerge. They have a strong economy, but they also are still under the micro scope like Germany, all from WW2.

I don't fear other nations. What I fear and you alluded to it. Is the radical groups that seem to be gaining momentum. Al-Qada and such. People who really don't have any other goal then to hurt other people. With one nation, vs another nation, there is a set of Rules. With these groups, the rules get tossed out the window. Will we ever truly be safe in this world? I hope so.

So my answer is No. But if you ask me do I feel safe to sleep at night. Yes. I have no fears when I go to bed.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 15 at 2015 9:27 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 21:27:10 -0400

I felt a lot safer when you knew exactly who the enemy was. Damn Russkies had to go capitalist on us and ruin everything. Today everyone seems to be the enemy and political and ideological differences transcend the simplicity of Us vs. Them. Ah the good ole days...

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 15 at 2015 10:41 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 22:41:38 -0400

I felt safer for all of Ronald Reagan's Administration. Ever since, those cold fingers have been creeping up my spine. Through progressively weaker Administrations, we have empowered and emboldened the aggressors, and the most recent breed are lunatics by comparison to those who preceded them. We better elect a Churchill-like leader next or God help us all...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 2:05 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 02:05:42 -0400

I thought I felt safer after the USSR fell and NATO added several former Eastern Bloc countries to it's membership. However, which enemy is worse? The enemy you can see, or the one you may not? IS/ISIS/ISIL is the new Boogey Man. They don't just exist thousands of miles away across the ocean. They are here. In some ways, they're even more sinister.

Then, there is the fact that Russia is returning for what may be round 2 of a new Cold War? The Chinese are flexing and have always misbehaved with it neighbors. Hopefully, economic ties make war a mutually undesirable situation, but you never know.

Our economy has been strained and has not truly recovered in my opinion and our deficit is outrageous. It just isn't sustainable. Economics can ultimately threaten our ability to maintain adequate defenses.

Frankly, I'm more worried now then ever. I only trust that God has a plan and He's in control. We continue to do our parts to defend our nation. Stay vigilant. Keep the faith, press on, and never ever give up.