The author writes that Western countries ignore grave domestic problems by rushing to orient themselves in a "new Cold War" against China and Russia. The author contends that diverting domestic discontent into external hostility does not work, as the problems that precipitate the discontent are not addressed. Russia and China pose real threats to American national interests, but in areas like trade that cannot justify restructuring the strategies of Western powers around the principle of a Cold War. The author writes that changes in sentiment in both Russia and the U.S. are tied to rising death rates among working class men fueled by economic, social and cultural insecurities and despair. In 1914, the soldiers who fought and died in World War I had no connection to the precipitating assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The author concludes, "In the name of God, let us not make this mistake again."

Read the full text at The National Interest.

Cartoon by Nelson Harding shared in the public domain.