The Rebirth of Communism in New Forms Today

Post–Cold War rebirth of revolutionary ideology and the rise of radical movements as manifestations of larger spiritual and historical patterns

In the second installment, from 8th May 2026, of his three-part opinion series, “Are We Truly Prepared in Our Current World Situation?”, Dr. David Carlson turns his attention to what he regards as one of the defining ideological and geopolitical developments of the modern era: the transformation and continued influence of communism after the apparent end of the Cold War.

Rather than treating communism as a defeated political system confined to the twentieth century, Carlson argues that its ideological spirit has not disappeared, but has instead re-emerged in new forms and in new geopolitical contexts. His discussion is framed through the teachings and prophetic statements of Rev. Sun Myung Moon (1920-2012), whose observations on the future trajectory of communism Carlson presents as remarkably prescient.

See also When Good Intentions Serve Harmful Causes

See also Linking Extremism to Broader Spiritual Conflict

See also Modern Society: Deep Moral and Spiritual Crisis

See also History Often Vindicates the Dreamers

Carlson begins by situating communism and democracy within the broader history of competing worldviews. According to his interpretation, these two systems developed out of fundamentally different understandings of human nature, society, and history, and their rivalry shaped much of the twentieth century. He recalls the atmosphere of the Cold War during his youth in the United States, particularly during the 1960s, when tensions between the democratic West and the communist bloc had reached alarming levels. At that time, many Americans feared the possibility of nuclear conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union, to the extent that ordinary families discussed constructing bomb shelters in preparation for a potential war.

Although communism eventually lost much of its global influence with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the decline of the Eastern Bloc, Carlson contends that the reasons behind this collapse are often oversimplified. While many in the West credit U.S. President Ronald Reagan with bringing about the fall of the Soviet system through strong anti-communist policies and military initiatives such as the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), Carlson argues that Rev. Moon also played a major and often overlooked role in the ideological defeat of communism.

Drawing on accounts from within Unificationism – a lecture in 2014 by Pak Bo-hi (박보희 – 1930-2019), an assistent to Rev. Moon – Dr. Carlson notes claims that the conceptual origins of SDI may have been influenced by Rev. Moon’s ideas and that both Reagan and Rev. Moon contributed to weakening the communist world. Regardless of the precise historical balance of influence, Carlson emphasizes what he sees as the key point: communism appeared to collapse as a dominant global force.

However, Carlson’s central argument is that this collapse did not signify the permanent disappearance of communist ideology. Instead, he points to a statement made by Sun Myung Moon in 1958, decades before the fall of the Soviet Union, in which Rev. Moon reportedly predicted not only the eventual collapse of communism but also its later revival through the Arab world, followed by renewed opposition to democratic nations. Dr. Carlson writes,

“There are three important ideas in this statement by Rev. Moon: 1) communism will collapse; 2) it will revive through the Arab nations (basically Islamic, just as America is basically Christian); and 3) it will oppose the democratic world again.”

Carlson regards this statement as especially significant because, in 1958, communism appeared to be expanding rather than weakening. The Soviet Union was powerful, communist China had recently consolidated control, and much of the world viewed Marxism as an enduring force. For this reason, Carlson interprets the later collapse of communism as evidence supporting Rev. Moon’s prophetic insight.

The more urgent aspect of the prophecy, in Carlson’s view, concerns the idea that communism would later reappear in conjunction with radical movements in the Islamic world. He argues that contemporary radical Islamic jihadism reflects a fusion of religious extremism and revolutionary political ideology that resembles certain aspects of twentieth-century communism. To support this interpretation, he cites discussions surrounding the National Council for Resistance in Iran (NCRI) and the People’s Mujahedin of Iran (MEK), organizations that have at various times been described as combining elements of Islamic theology with Marxist revolutionary thought.

Carlson acknowledges that such a combination may initially appear contradictory, since Marxism is traditionally atheistic and materialistic, whereas Islam is a theistic religion centered on belief in God. Yet he argues that revolutionary movements are capable of blending ideological components in ways that transcend classical doctrinal boundaries. In his reading, this synthesis fulfills Rev. Moon’s warning that communism would not simply vanish, but would adapt itself within new cultural and religious contexts.

A major theme in Carlson’s discussion is the continuing confrontation between radical Islamist movements and democratic societies, especially the United States. He argues that just as communism once positioned itself in opposition to Western liberal democracy, certain extremist Islamist groups now portray America and the West as enemies to be resisted and ultimately defeated. Carlson references anti-American rhetoric used by radical groups and points to terrorist attacks, including the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and later incidents in New York City, as evidence of this hostility.

To further develop this point, Carlson draws extensively on the writings of author and commentator Brigitte Gabriel, who was raised in Lebanon during periods of violent conflict involving militant Islamist groups. Gabriel’s books “Because They Hate” and “They Must Be Stopped” are presented as warnings to Western nations about the dangers posed by radical Islamic extremism. Carlson highlights Gabriel’s argument that understanding the historical roots of ideological conflict is essential for interpreting present events and preparing for future challenges.

According to Gabriel’s perspective, radical Islamist movements seek broad political and cultural domination beyond the Middle East, posing a threat not only to specific governments but also to the broader values and institutions of Western democratic societies.

Carlson sees a parallel between these ambitions and the global aspirations historically associated with communism. During the Cold War, communism presented itself not merely as a national political system but as a worldwide ideological movement seeking universal expansion. In Carlson’s interpretation, radical Islamist extremism similarly advances a transnational vision that challenges democratic systems and Western influence on a global scale. Because of these perceived similarities, he notes that some commentators have even referred to militant Islamism as a form of “21st-century communism”.

Throughout this section, Carlson’s purpose is not simply historical analysis but also moral and spiritual warning. He argues that democratic societies, and particularly the United States, should not assume that the ideological conflicts of the twentieth century have ended. Instead, he believes the struggle has entered a new phase in which old revolutionary impulses have taken on different forms and different cultural expressions. In this framework, vigilance, spiritual preparedness, and ideological clarity are necessary if democratic nations are to respond effectively to emerging global threats.

At the same time, Carlson’s argument reflects a distinctly providential interpretation of history rooted in the teachings of Sun Myung Moon and the broader worldview of Unificationism. Events such as the fall of communism, the rise of radical Islamist movements, and geopolitical tensions between East and West are understood not merely as political developments but as manifestations of larger spiritual and historical patterns. His analysis therefore combines political commentary, religious interpretation, and prophetic reflection into a single narrative concerning the future direction of the modern world.

Section 3 of the second part of Dr. Carlson’s essay presents the claim that communism did not disappear with the end of the Cold War, but rather evolved into new ideological forms that continue to challenge democratic societies. By linking radical Islamist movements with aspects of revolutionary Marxism and by framing contemporary global tensions through the prophetic statements of Rev. Moon, Carlson argues that the world remains engaged in an ongoing ideological struggle whose implications are both political and spiritual. His discussion ultimately serves as a call for awareness and preparedness in the face of what he perceives to be continuing threats to democratic civilization and religious values.

Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author.

See also When Good Intentions Serve Harmful Causes

See also Linking Extremism to Broader Spiritual Conflict

See also Modern Society: Deep Moral and Spiritual Crisis

See also History Often Vindicates the Dreamers

Text: Knut Holdhus, editor

Featured image above: Evolution of the Cold War through a rebirth of communism in new forms. Illustration: ChatGPT, 18th May 2026.

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