A “New Cold War”? Dissecting the Causes of Hostility Between the U.S. and Russia in the 21st Century

Abstract

Since the end of the Cold War (1945-1991), relations between the United States and the Russian Federation have been volatile from moderately friendly to openly hostile. Each side has its own interpretations and biases with regards to geopolitical decisions about the opposite side. This Thesis explores explanations of the hostility and animosities between the U.S. and Russia in the post-Cold War era of the 21st century. It argues that regardless of the end of Cold War and collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia and the U.S. have once again begun to perceive one another as ideological and military antagonists. Relations between the two superpowers have been so low and rhetoric so hostile, especially since the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, so as to suggest, as do Stephen F. Cohen (2007) and Noam Chomsky (2015), that the two sides are now engaged in a new Cold War. This Thesis investigates and evaluates contrasting perspectives of explaining the “New Cold War” phenomenon. Among other things, it argues that the ongoing crises in Ukraine and Syria, with the participation of the U.S. and Russia on opposing sides, allude to a new Cold War with corresponding military engagements in violent proxy conflicts and wars. This Thesis holds that that the complex intricacies of the U.S.-Russian relationship involve rational, emotional and other motives and factors, including misunderstandings. It also explores the reasons why the U.S. and Russia have arrived to the New Cold War and how justified and appropriate, if at all, this term is. The findings of this research suggest that the U.S.-Russian hostility is rooted in misperceptions and misgivings on both sides of the confrontation. Both sides, it is argued, have been squandering opportunities to align their national interests and build solid partnerships that would benefit the wellbeings of their respective populations and also the global community.