“If there’s smoke… there’s fire”, is the cold war back?

I don’t understand that much about politics and stuff, the little I know I have learned at school, so, if my understanding of the facts stated below is wrong, apologies from the very beginning.

What has been calling my attention are the side conflicts amongst couple of countries that have arisen these days.

Two events in special made me remember the cold war again: South Ossetia in August last year and the Colombian agreement with the USA this week.

In the South Ossetia conflict last year, where Russia has arisen again with its military power, remembering the old and powerful Russia, and the Georgian President very confident of its capabilities to challenge Russia… what actually encouraged the Georgian president Saakashvili to challenge Russia? Was him counting on the US support? What happened then? Why Russia has reacted disproportionally? “Showing off”? What was the intention?

Late last week, the Colombian president has announced an agreement with the US Government to let the Yankees use 7 Colombian military bases, with the intention of combating the terrorism in Colombia. Was it an answer to Hugo Chaves that in 2008 have settled agreements with Russia around military cooperation and so on? The tension is all around in South America, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is willing to go for a war against Colombia.

Why should South America go into a war that actually doesn’t belong to South America? Who will play the role of moderate this conflict? Has Brazil the leadership power to sort it out?

Is the cold war back? If no, what is behind the scenes? If yes, Why not let Russia and the USA solve their differences, without using “marionettes”!!!

It is a shame that we haven’t been able to shape leaders in the political and corporate environment enough skilled and talented to drive the society towards a more sustainable and peaceful world!

What can we do? Or who?

Mauricio Schneider
Consultant at Move Strategy & Partner at 4SC