Has the Cold War Really Ended?
Russia Led Arms Sales to Developing World in ’05

According to an annual study by the Congressional Research Service, Russia exceeded the United States in weapons deals with developing nations in 2005, which grew from $26.4 billion in 2004, to $30.2 billion. The United States, in previous years, has controlled this growing market. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the US has fallen short of Russia’s $7 billion worth of arms arrangements with developing nations, coming in third with only $6.2 billion. However, the United States still led in total arms agreements with $12.8 billion. This figure includes both developing and developed countries.

Last year, Russia supplied Iran with 29 SA-15 Gauntlet surface-to-air missile systems along with a contract to upgrade Iran’s bombers and fighter aircrafts. This could prove detrimental for plans at the Pentagon. With enhancements in Iran’s air-defense systems, an American air strike on Iran’s nuclear weapons facilities would be extremely difficult.

Russia has also sold eight aerial refueling tankers to China. With the tankers, China can now refuel their military planes and carry on missions farther away from the mainland. This ability could be harmful, like Iran, to the US in a military conflict. Although the United States and China have been allies and have supported each other’s economy a great deal, Taiwan has been the cause of tension in the past. Both countries have been in dispute over the land; a dispute which could erupt into a war every quickly. Taking that into consideration, the US navy would be required to move farther from land if Chinese military aircrafts could fly farther from China, which would have a severe effect on their range and air missions.

The recent study is somewhat similar to the events of the Cold War. While the USSR was trying to spread the idea of communism, America was trying to stop it. In doing so, both Superpowers divided the world into three groups. Some were democratic and sided with the West, others agreed with the Soviet Union, and the rest remained neutral. The United States and Russia supplied their allies with weapons and troops, which created many conflicts such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War.

Today, Russia is again supplying our enemy, Iran, with weapons. Much like Cuba in 1962, tensions are high and there is a definite possibility of military action. By Russia’s actions one could wonder if the Cold War ever ended.