In late 1991, the Soviet Union dissolved into its component republics. The Iron Curtain was lifted and the Cold War: Part One came to an end.
We will have to leave it to historians to decide when precisely the Cold War: Part Two began but the clash over Syria suggests that we are already in the middle of it. China and Russia are on one side and the West and much of the Arab world on the other.
We won’t forget to let you know when – and how – it ends.
Eric Koch’s new book, The Golden Years: Five Stories, was launched on Saturday, March 16. The book is available from the 
Does this mean the Arabs are on our side?
Yes, in that context, yes. The Saudis for example.
Various observers are suggesting that the next Big War is already being waged, in cyberspace: hacking and sabotaging, for economic as much as geo-political advantage. It’s not at all clear what alliances there are, or even whether all the players are governments.