The New Cold War Mindset
By William McHenry
February 10, 2025
U.S. Air Force Illustration by Mike Tsukamoto
Changing Times = Changing Minds. The New Cold War Mindset
The geopolitical landscape has undergone a seismic shift since the Cold War. The world, once divided into two ideological blocs, has navigated a complex tapestry of alliances and rivalries in the post-Cold War era with the U.S. as the dominant presence. Over the last decade, emerging out of the post-Cold War confusion, like storm clouds rising over the horizon, Russia, China, North Korea and Iran have banded together to threaten Western Democracy. However, it’s not just the geopolitical dynamics that have changed since the end of the Cold War; the pace of technological advancement has accelerated exponentially. The new alliance of authoritarian regimes focused on expansion, combined with the rapid evolution of technology necessitates a new mindset and a fundamental shift in how the U.S. Government and Military plan, operate, and acquire effective tools and enablers. Reliance on experience and a process focus mentality must give way to adaptability, agility, and a relentless focus on outcomes if we are to combat emerging threats and protect U.S. interests at home and abroad.
From Process to Outcomes
In the Cold War and post-Cold War era, government planning, execution and procurement were based on long-term, deliberate processes. Organizations have grown accustomed to meticulous planning, detailed execution, and a focus on adherence to established procedures. This process-oriented approach, while effective in a more stable non-competitive environment, is ill-suited to the high threat, adversarial, and unpredictable world of today.
In order to protect U.S. interests, the modern world demands that the U.S. Government undertake a radical shift from being process focused to outcome focused. In a world characterized by rapid technological disruption and geopolitical uncertainty, organizations must pivot to become more agile and responsive. They must be able to update assessments quickly, adapt to changing circumstances, and deliver results. This shift requires a mindset that prioritizes the end goal, the outcome, over the means to achieve it.
https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2025/02/10/the_new_cold_war_mindset_1090216.html
