Wikipedia Article on 'The Second Cold War'
"Second Cold War" describes heightened geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and its allies versus China and Russia, reminiscent of the original Cold War. The term became common in the 2010s–2020s amid the 2014 Crimea crisis, the 2022 Ukraine invasion, and escalating U.S.–China rivalry, though its accuracy is debated by scholars.
Background
"Second Cold War" is a debated term used by scholars, journalists, and policymakers to describe a period of sharply escalating geopolitical tensions between the United States (and its allies) on one side and China and/or Russia on the other, beginning roughly around 2014. It is named by analogy with the original Cold War (c. 1947–1991) between the US and the Soviet Union. Key flashpoints include Russia's annexation of Crimea and invasion of Ukraine, China's military assertiveness in the South China Sea, US-China trade wars and technology decoupling, NATO expansion debates, and widespread cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. While the original Cold War was defined by nuclear standoff and ideological competition between capitalism and communism, the "Second Cold War" often emphasizes great-power competition, hybrid warfare, and the erosion of post-1991 global institutions. The term is controversial—some argue it overstates the parallel, while others believe it accurately captures a new era of systemic rivalry.