Ronald Steel, Critic of American Cold War Policies, Dies at 92

Ronald Steel, a prominent historian who scrutinized American foreign policies during the Cold War era, died on Monday at his home in Santa Barbara, California at the age of 92.

Steel, who was born in New York in 1930, was a professor of international relations and political science at the University of Southern California for more than 20 years. He authored several books on American foreign policy, including “Pax Americana: Myth or Reality?” and “Walter Lippman and the American Century.”

Throughout his career, Steel was an outspoken critic of the United States’ involvement in the Cold War. He believed that America’s militaristic approach during that period did more harm than good, and ultimately led to the country’s economic and moral decline.

Steel argued that the U.S. had become too focused on fighting the Soviet Union, at the expense of addressing domestic issues like poverty and inequality. He also advocated for a more nuanced understanding of U.S. foreign policy, one that took into account the complexities of the historical and cultural contexts in which it played out.

In addition to his work as a scholar, Steel was a frequent commentator on current events, writing for publications like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic.

Steel’s legacy will continue to shape the way we think about American foreign policy and the Cold War era. As we look back on his life and work, we are reminded of the importance of critical thinking and independent analysis in shaping our understanding of the world around us.