Dr. Simeon Paravantes

War Historian (Utrecht University)

‘‘The Cold War to me is a constant reminder of the need to ‘get the details right’ in order to avoid catastrophe. Mistakes are unavoidable in life, but utter destruction may be optional. If one has a warped/inaccurate view of the past, then one’s view of the present will also be warped. If one does not properly understand the causal chain that led up to certain events, one will not properly understand how those events shaped the present, and if one wishes to effect change in the present, then any course of action based on those erroneous perceptions, is doomed to fail. Know the past as clearly and as honestly as possible, in order to know how you got to where you are. Only then may you hope to be able to chart a path to a better future.’’