Sir — This refers to the article, “Old foes should unite to fight new enemies” (October 17) by Hiranmay Karlekar. The author has given a brilliant description of the present international situation, a rare analysis in recent times. There’s no doubt that the US contributed in the dissolution of the Soviet Union, to avenge its defeat in Vietnam. But the role played by the US in resurrecting ferment in the Middle East, in its Arab spring campaign in 2011, has created a new Frankenstein monster in the form of the Islamic State, which is a new world menace and needs to be nipped in the bud.
The Islamic State is a much bigger menace to the world at large than the erstwhile Soviet Union. I agree with the author’s conclusion that, instead of confronting Moscow, Washington should ally with it in the war with the Islamic State. The US’s policy in West Asia is full of faults.