Steven Cohen: The “war by proxy” between Russia and the United States in Ukraine is much more dangerous than the past Cold War
The famous American historian Stephen Cohen called the conflict in Ukraine a “Russian-American war by proxy.” The United States is preparing to supply arms to Ukraine worth $3 billion, the conflict is unfolding in the fog of disinformation practically on the territory of the Russian Federation, there are no more lines of mutual restrictions between Russia and the United States, supporters of peace in America are not even allowed near the authorities and the media, and Putin is so demonized in the West that that any negotiations with him seem unimaginable. As a result, the Americans and Russians find themselves in the worst conflict since the Cuban Missile Crisis, which threatens global catastrophe.
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“Russia militarily encourages militants in eastern Ukraine, and the United States is a little less openly funding Kyiv’s army,” writes Stephen Cohen in his article for the magazine Thought, excerpts of which he publishes New Newspaper. “There is a proposal being discussed in Washington that we finance this army on a larger scale. I believe that $3 billion will be allocated for the supply of much more significant weapons over the next three years.”
Even worse, according to the historian and Sovietologist, is the current new Cold War. “There is no doubt that it is coming, although the press is hesitant to call it by its name,” Cohen says. – This new “cold war” may turn out to be more dangerous. The epicenter of the previous one was in Berlin, the epicenter of the current one is located on the borders of Russia, right in the center of Russian Slavic civilization. Many Ukrainians are connected with this civilization: through marriages, history, culture, language, religion. This is one of the reasons for the enormous potential for misunderstandings, misfortunes, provocations, catastrophes that you can imagine. And that’s why the current situation is a thousand times more dangerous.”
This new “cold war” is also dangerous because it is unfolding in the same atmosphere that was called the “fog of war” on the eve of the First World War - in an atmosphere of total disinformation. “Even those of us who follow events and, speaking languages, can read about everything in the original, who know the history of the issue, are often unable to figure out who is telling the truth and who is lying,” Cohen complains. “In the end, it turns out that all the facts are bad and threatening, and the situation is only getting worse.”
The current “Cold War” may also turn out to be more dangerous because between the United States and Russia there is a lack of mutually developed norms and experience of various kinds of restrictions, continues Steven Cohen. There were red lines and borders between the USSR and America, we knew that it was better not to cross them. “None of this exists now—nothing. This applies to all areas: from education to space exploration. Even museums cannot exchange exhibits. Everything is torn apart." - the historian laments.
Attempts to restore cooperation between Moscow and Washington are almost completely blocked by the demonization of President Putin, the historian continues. “I started working in the field of Soviet studies during the Khrushchev era. And in all the years of my work, I don’t remember that the American media, the American establishment, threw mud at any Soviet, communist leader as much as they do in relation to Putin,” he says. Cohen gives examples when Putin in the United States is called “Hitler” and “murderer” at the highest level - in particular, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton allows herself to use such expressions. How does she intend to contact Russia if she wins the elections? - Cohen is perplexed.
Another problem is the complete absence of peace advocates in the US federal government and media. “During the years of the past Cold War, I participated in what was then called the “movement for détente,” says the eminent expert. “We were in the minority, but we had allies in the White House: among the president's aides, in the State Department, among a dozen senators, a dozen or two congressmen. We always had easy access to the New York Times, the Washington Post, television and radio. Today there is none of this. The handful of us who oppose or talk about the American share of responsibility for the current situation cannot find allies in the State Department or Congress. We cannot get space on the pages of the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal or the New York Post. It seems like everyone who considers themselves progressive voted last month for bills and resolutions that essentially declared war against Russia. What’s surprising is that they voted without discussion.”
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