A Second Cold War?

UPDATED ON: WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2009
17:05 MECCA TIME, 14:05 GMT
Courtesy Of Al-Jazeera

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Recent events have seen Russian tanks in Georgia, American banks in turmoil and international capitalism buckling, all meaning that the global geo-political landscape is once more in flux.

In a spcial programme Al Jazeera's senior political analyst, Marwan Bishara, examines the impact of recent events on US-Russian affairs and asks if the world once again could be caught between two opposing superpowers.

The US has been critical of Russia’s actions in Georgia, and, made strategic moves to curb the increasing influence over Central Asian oil and gas resources of its one-time nemesis.

With Nato subsuming former Soviet states into its expanding fold, Russia is seeking to establish re-negotiated lines of security.

Al Jazeera investigates the challenges posed by Nato expansion, the resurrection of America’s Star Wars defence program as well as the potential impact on Russia-US relations of the decision to site US missile bases in Eastern Europe.
Vladimir Putin’s time in office has been predicated on a revived nationalism and a renewed pride in "Mother Russia". We analyse the workings of this new nationalism and look at why former president Putin placed such importance on restoring patriotic fervor amongst the Russian people.

As America looks to elect a new leader who will choose his own version of international relations, and Nato decides on Ukraine and Georgia’s accession, the future global real politik is seemingly hanging in the balance.

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