Hyperbolic comparisons to the titanic struggle of World War II increase the risk of escalating a conflict currently localized to Ukraine. Given the risk of nuclear escalation should the United States find itself in a war with Russia, the leaders of our time may in fact be pushing us closer to World War III. Instead of making emotional appeals to the glory of victory in World War II, Western and Russian leaders would be wise to reflect on what came after—a Cold War with the ever-present threat of mutually assured destruction.
–Sascha Glaeser is a research associate at Defense Priorities. He focuses on U.S. grand strategy, international security and transatlantic relations. He holds a master’s of international public affairs and a bachelor’s in international studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.