Europe in the New Cold War: Why the Old Continent Needs a Change of Perspective to Learn from Past Great Power Rivalries

In light of the growth of Sino-American rivalry and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, many observers have spoken of a new Cold War and contemplated what lessons the conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union might offer to help improve our understanding of current great power rivalries. Considering the deepening transatlantic rift, it is, however, doubtful whether such insights would be useful to Europeans confronted with the double challenge of an increasingly aggressive Russia and Donald Trump's return to power. There is no doubt that Europe's position today differs fundamentally from the role it played during the old Cold War. In order to draw useful Cold War lessons for Europe, instead of studying Europe's own role during the East–West conflict, a look at the Cold War history of the regions then referred to as the 'Third World' is required.