”Avoid thinking in absolutes.”            

“The most important lesson of the Cold War, in my view, is the imperative of combining deterrence with dialogue in great power relations. While deterrence through military strength was crucial in the conflict with the Soviet Union, it alone could not ensure lasting peace. Moreover, dialogue was crucial to prevent the risk of escalation. Today,…

“That an escalation to a nuclear war can and must be avoided.”      

”In my view, it is crucial to “unpack” the Cold War and even to question its centrality to the period. Without denying the importance of the ideological and political conflicts between the United States and the Soviet Union, they cannot explain all the imbalances and conflicts in the world at the time. Most of them…

‘‘That human beings are highly skillful in adapting to new situations: people suffered but they also learned to take advantage of the Cold War restrictions; that people can’s be forced into accepting an ideology which is against their free will.’’

‘‘The most important lesson of the Cold War era is the realization that economic development is the major force that determines international affairs. Moreover, the economic health of a society tends to strengthen the forces of moderation and the middle classes, which are the preconditions of representative democracy and the respect of human rights. The…

”I’m sorry to give a negative answer, but I don’t think the Cold War has “lessons” to offer. I don’t think history should guide the present. The Cold War, like anything else, is what one makes of it. That’s probably the most important lesson!”          

”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…

”It is the pre-history of our time and many of its characteristics persist in one form or another.”                  

”Because the legacy of the Cold War is with us.”