As Franklin D.

Roosevelt once said “ From the ashes of World War II, we learned that even in the darkest times, humanity's
spirit can kindle the flames of resilience and renewal." -

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for a journey through history's pages as we uncover the story behind the Cold War's
mysterious start. In this expedition, I invite you to embrace the Orthodox perspective, a clear guiding light amidst different
viewpoints. And as we explore, we'll also take a closer look at other perspectives that challenge the common story.

Imagine the 1950s, a time of tension and strong beliefs. In charge of the Soviet Union was Joseph Stalin, a powerful leader with
big plans. He wanted to spread communism around the world, which clashed with what Western democracies, led by the
United States, believed. It wasn't just a difference of opinions, but a clash between the freedoms of the individual and the grip
of collectivism.

In this situation, the United States and its allies took a defensive position. This defensive stand wasn't about starting a fight; it
was a must to manage the march of communism. Did it hint at aggression or was it a smart strategy? The policy of containment,
shaped by George Kennan's "Long Telegram," was a clever move. It was like a chess move, calculated to protect the prized
principles of personal freedom from the creeping clasp of an ideology aiming to snuff them out, a safeguard against a
smothering shadow.

Moving to another viewpoint, we come across the revisionist perspective. This is a newer way of looking at things that tries to
change how we understand history. It wants to tell a more balanced story, but when we look closely, we see something more
detailed. The Soviet Union's careful actions, like the Berlin Blockade and how they controlled countries in Eastern Europe, show
us they were trying to make things worse. It's like they were adding wood to the fire of disagreement, making things even more
heated.But can we really accept this new version of events without questioning: (pause) Were the Soviets truly trying to create
more chaos, or is there more to the story than meets the eye?

Then there's the post-revisionist view. It tries to find a middle ground between different opinions. But can we really say that
history's complex mix of ideas, plans, and actions can be boiled down to just misunderstandings? The clear answer is NO.

Coming back to the heart of the matter—the Orthodox perspective. The beginning of the Cold War is tied to what the Soviet
Union wanted. As we travel through history, let's keep an eye out for ideas that might confuse us and remember the lessons of
the past.let us recall the words of Winston Churchill, one of the key figures during World War II: "Now this is not the end. It is
not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Just as Churchill's words echoed the complexity
of their time, let us leave here with a deeper understanding of the origins of the Cold War, mindful of the past's lessons and
ever-watchful against the resurgence of history's echoes.