After two world wars, the collapse of fascism, nazism, communism and colonialism and the end of the cold war, humanity has entered a new phase of its history.

I just wanted all the wars to be over so that we could spend the money on starships and Mars colonies.

[Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher praised the pontiff's role in toppling communism.] Millions owe him their freedom and self-respect. The whole world is inspired by his example, ... His life was a long struggle against the lies employed to excuse evil. By combating the falsehoods of communism and proclaiming the true dignity of the individual, his was the moral force behind victory in the Cold War.

With the end of the cold war, all the 'isms' of the 20th century - Fascism, Nazism, Communism and the evil of apartheid-ism - have failed. Except one. Only democracy has shown itself true the help of all mankind.

The South Africans decided that they would like to prove to the world they did not have any nuclear weapons and their decision was not doubted because it was the end of the Cold War, it was also the end of apartheid.

The Cold War is over but Cold War thinking survives.