IN recent decades, full-scale wars and cold wars were often regarded as remnants of history, valuable primarily as lessons on the dangers of unchecked rivalry and ideological confrontation. Many believed that the modern world, shaped by institutions and economic interdependence, had moved beyond such conflicts. Yet, these assumptions now appear increasingly tenuous. Today, the dynamics of great-power competition and regional instability suggest that the world has not left these patterns behind but is instead witnessing their resurgence in new forms. The growing rivalry between the United States and China has been described as a ‘Cold War II’, evoking comparisons to the ideological and strategic tensions of the mid-20th century. At the same time, discussions of a potential ‘World War III’, once confined to speculative fiction, have entered the realm of serious analysis among policymakers and academics. These concerns are not abstract. The ongoing war in Ukraine and escalating violence in the Middle East highlight the volatility of the current international system, while rising tensions in Asia, particularly around Taiwan, the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea, suggest that great-power competition is far from dormant. Meanwhile, internal conflicts such as the civil war in Sudan, highlight the enduring capacity of localised crises to generate widespread instability. Taken together, these developments point to an unsettling conclusion: the world appears to be moving away from an era of relative stability toward one characterised by rising conflict and strategic uncertainty.
Rather than being confined to the history books, the forces that shaped the conflicts of the 20th century are once again shaping the global order.
History Repeats Itself
This story is from the January 21, 2025 edition of Outlook.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 21, 2025 edition of Outlook.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Nomadland
All eyes are on President-elect Donald Trump and his policy on immigration
Far from Home
We have forgotten the plight of Afghans who fled to India, and continue to suffer
Bang Bang That Awful Sound
What happens when we listen closely to the soundscape of war?
Refugee Dilemma
For most Indian-origin Sri Lankan Tamils, who are victims of ethnic conflict and civil war, proving that they are not illegal migrants is a nearly impossible task
They Poured Fire on Us
The resilience of refugee women from Sudan, Ethiopia and Yemen in the face of war and displacement is remarkable
The Sound and the Fury
Iraqi poet, novelist, translator and scholar Sinan Antoon was born and raised in Baghdad.
The Day I Became a Woman
In a country where authorities have been directly engaging in the gruesome war against women for decades, artists like Nahid Hassanzadeh stand apart as a voice of dissent–a haunting reminder of the unwavering spirit of the rebellious Iranian women fighting against the Islamic Republic’s violent crackdown.
The Kite Runner
The official figure of civilian deaths in Afghanistan is a serious underestimate. It is unlikely that we will ever know the real cost of Afghan lives
American Patriot
Barring a few exceptions, Hollywood movies continue to be gung-ho about the United States' penchant for waging wars across the globe
The Hunters
How can Bangladesh's fractured society, burdened by layers of trauma, begin to heal?