"We are in Cold War II now," writes Michael Lind. "For those on the front lines, this so-called 'Cold War' War is hot, horrific, and massively murderous

The Soviet Union's 1989 fall marked the end of a half-century-long Cold War, writes Julian Zelizer.

Zelizer: With good reason, many have come to believe "we are in Cold War II now" On one side stand the world's liberal democracies, along with several incipient or partial democracies.

Leading the other side are China, Russia, and Iran — all three being descendants of historically imperial autocracies. Zelizer says this new alliance presents a second existential threat: a sophisticated, high technology model of totalitarian governance.

Henry Kopel: Slavery, Jim Crow, bigotry are indeed part of the American story, but only a part.

He says Cold War II was a stark reminder of how rare and noble the American constitutional order remains.

Lincoln was right in 1863 when he described America as the "last best hope of earth".