Another US-Russia Cold War? 5 Key Indicators of Rising Tensions

The Quint takes a look at the key issues that threaten to escalate matters between the former Cold War rivals.

The relationship between Russia and and the United States is deteriorating rapidly, and many political analysts believe things might even be close to hitting the low the countries faced during the cold war era.

From Syria, Ukraine, allegations of Russia meddling with the US Presidential elections to a Russian minister’s derogatory remark, things sure look to be taking a turn for the worse.

Here’s a look at the key issues that threaten to escalate matters between the former Cold War rivals.

• Russian President Vladamir Putin, amid increasing tensions, has sent out an order for his high ranking officials and their families living in the west to fly back to the “motherland.” Earlier, reports said Russia had moved nuclear-capable missiles near to the Polish border as tensions escalated between the world’s largest nation and the West. (Source: Dailymail)
• Russia and the US have very much moved past the cold war stage, and now stand in front of each other in a state of unpredictable confrontation. Matthew Rojansky, director of the Kennan Institute at the Wilson Center, in his reading of the situation says that there should be no doubt that Russia and US are in a state of conflict. (Source: CNN)
• There is increased Sino-Russian cooperation to tackle the might of the United States. The two nations have vowed to join forces to take on American missile installations in Europe and Asia. Washington has been accused of building a NATO-operated missile shield in Europe to enable it to launch a first-strike nuclear attack on Russia or China. (Source: The Australian)
• The issue of Russian bombings in Aleppo and bloodshed in Syria has strained the ties between the West and Russia. European powers are preparing to chalk out their next steps forward in their response to the Syrian bloodshed. US Secretary of State John Kerry is scheduled to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday in Switzerland to discuss the situation in Syria. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavarov added fuel to the fire after his comments on the ongoing US Presidential elections. The Minister denied that Russia was trying to influence the US Presidential elections. However, when asked for his take on the elections, he said, “There are so many p*ssies around your presidential campaign on both sides, that I prefer not to comment about this.” (Source: CNN)

Also Read: US Accuses Russia of Interfering With Presidential Elections