The US is still at a Cold War-like Standoff with the Communist nations

First of all, I will quote the title of this debate I have accepted; "The US is still at a Cold War-like Standoff with the Communist nations." Notably, these communist nations include China, North Korea, Cuba, Laos, and Vietnam. Laos has never really been the focus of any attention in the media as far as I am aware. There was US intervention but you rarely hear about it and full diplomatic ties were restored back in 1992. Obviously, there were tensions with Vietnam in the Vietnam War, but nowadays, the US isn't really in any conflict with Vietnam. The main political issues are in the Middle East, not the Far East, and Vietnam isn't really subject to much US foreign policy. Full diplomatic relations were restored in 1995. Nowadays, 78% of Vietnam's population view America favourably. That's a lot considering the damage caused in the Vietnam War. Sure, the poll might have been biased and the real number a little bit lower; but it's still a remarkable improvement. Cuba is a little more controversial due to the close location to the US and the Cuban missile crisis. The US still has an embargo on Cuba, which obviously means there is still tension between the two nations, and a lot of it. However, the US are making an effort to gradually increase relations with Havana. America and Cuba have a long history, but hopefully it can be solved in the near future. Now for the big ones. China and North Korea. North Korea is the two-year-old who threatens to take over the world. Or at least, it acts like it. North Korea poses no threat alone. It's hardly worth the bother for South Korea to conquer it, because South Korea is just so much more developed than North Korea. Obviously, there is some standoff between NK and the US, but I doubt their communist state is anywhere near #1 on that list. China is like North Korea's big brother. I'm not going to deny that there is a lot of friction between China and the US. However, it's not like all of that friction is due to communism. The US and China have the biggest and second biggest GDPs in the world, and therefore there has to be at least some economic rivalry between the two governments, because each is the other's biggest challenger when it comes to the national market. Not much to do with communism, and not much military standoff. Like many other economically created rivalries, it will probably come and go. China also wants land in the South China Sea and is disputing with the US over some islands. Again, this isn't really friction-causing with the US. If China wanted a country and the US wanted to protect it, for example, that might cause a bit more conflict. I doubt islands will end up going to war if China ends up going for it, although it may set a dangerous precedent. The public view is unfavourable for both nations. China's US approval is 44% and US' China approval is 38%. Clearly, we have a long way to go. But that's hardly what you'd call a "standoff" is it? Both countries are trying to work together, and recognise that any conflict would be a disaster. https://www.whitehouse.gov... Co-operation on climate change. http://www.dailymail.co.uk... Intent to co-operate on issues. Sure, China's an economic rival. But it's NOTHING compared to the Cold War. And unlike the Cold War, it's very unlikely to trigger a world war, unless North Korea do something stupid.