AND NOW THERE ARE SIGNALS OF COLD WAR II

Just when you start thinking the Cold War is really over, along come some indicators of Cold War II. Only this time the players may not be just the United States and Russia.

Russia still has a nuclear arsenal of some 6,000 warheads, but those old missiles are deteriorating rapidly, if assessments from the Kremlin are accurate. More than that, there appears to be widespread political support -- even among the bickering factions that have gained prominence since the fall of the Communists -- for building a new generation of nuclear missiles.

While most of the old Russian missiles are still pointed at U.S. targets, there appears to be less and less confidence that the missiles could actually reach us. And in about 10 years, Russian experts predict, there will be only about 600 usable missiles left.

Besides, there are new strategic targets developing around the globe. China is well on its way to developing its own nuclear armaments, and even nations like poverty-stricken India -- where one out of ever six human beings lives -- continue to tinker with nuclear weapons.

The Big Question, of course, is how far a Libya or Iraq might go if it could launch nuclear missiles, either at the United States or some other economic power.

Although it hasn't received much attention, the Clinton administration's plan to build a workable defense system against missile attacks launched from any nation is gathering steam. While most Americans probably thought the Star Wars plan of the Reagan years had fallen by the wayside, in fact funding is being sought to build such a system, even though it remains unclear exactly how it would work.

But the anti-missile defense system currently being considered by the Pentagon would be completely useless in the event of an attack by terrorists who deliver their warhead -- it would only take one -- by truck or ship instead of a rocket.

It is difficult to imagine that Russia will be able to muster both the political and financial support to go on a missile-building spree. But the fact that the topic is being seriously discussed sends an urgent message to the United States and other nations that are concerned about the potential devastation of a warhead-armed rocket launched by a revenge-seeking madman.