The Case for a Cold War 2.0

A Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires ammunition during a live fire exercise at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's training grounds in the East Fuji Maneuver Area on May 22, 2021 in Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan. The annual live-fire drill took place shortly after China's ambassador to Japan criticized the Quad grouping, a security dialogue comprised of the United States, Japan, India, and Australia, as representing a ‘Cold War mentality’ and ‘100 percent outdated.’ Akio Kon/Getty Images

Commentary

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has forced democratic countries to face the likely prospects of a prolonged period of confrontation in Europe. This is happening even as China, now the West’s most formidable and determined enemy, has become the first mover and ready belligerent in a looming, region-wide, conflict in the Indo-Pacific. Unchecked, the next victim will be Taiwan, which may in turn encourage other dangerous states such as Iran and North Korea to indulge in their own ambitions. Soon, the world may be dealing with the realities of Domino Theory 2.0. A late response to this from the West may result in some countries simply surrendering, or being forced to fight a costly hot war and perhaps conquered.