Professor Dr. Ioannis Stefanidis

Diplomatic History Professor (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)

”The obvious answer is that the Cold War is the introduction to the contemporary, highly volatile and unpredictable, chapter of human history. The period between 1945 and 1991 offers important insights, e.g. to the ability of the superpowers to internalize and respect the nuclear taboo, or the perils of military interference in treacherous, third world terrain. It has also demonstrated that conflicts between powers armed with nuclear weapons may no longer be resolved by direct military confrontation, but, as George Kennan suggested in 1947, with ‘long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment’ of one’s rival. This may entail long-term and firm support for victims of a nuclear power’s aggression, as is now the case with the Russian war against Ukraine.”