This letter is in response to Larry Dansinger’s letter dated July 5.

The thawing of East-West relations will have very little impact on various conflicts (and potential conflicts) in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. As a consequence, multipolar and regional tensions as well as military expenditures in these areas will remain relatively high.

The world is currently not, and probably will not be in the future a peaceful place.

There are numerous significant challenges to the well-being of the United States throughout the world.

Many of the global trouble spots are not aimed directly at America or its interests, but nevertheless will inadvertently affect them.

It is still possible that the United States will be forced to respond militarily to certain actions or situations in the world — as was the case of Operation Desert Shield/Storm — if it does not wish to see its vital security concerns, its allies, the safety of its citizens, and its economic or political interests endangered. John Wong Bangor