[Franek Grabowski]

Originally Posted by Ruy Horta

You may have a point Franek, but would the political climate (or perhaps more exactly the civilian morale in the US and British Commonwealth) in the Western democracies have been able to support another war, one against a former Allied power, after five years of struggle?

Oh, it is a job for propaganda and perhaps a 'Pearl Harbor' would have been needed but nothing unachieveable. There were strong anti-Soviet sentiments and the only problem could have been commie dominated press and film industry. Nothing that you canot cope with, sending McCarthy a little bit earlier.

An Eastern Front - massive frontal engagement between two fully developed forces and its mass casualties that had been more or less avoided - in the West - to this stage?

Well, it was more a problem for Soviets rather than to Westerners. The USA alone could have form an army able to beat Soviets. The latter were going short of human resources and there was a lot of people the Red Army, who went there unwillingly and would change the sides on the first opportunity. Otherwise, there is a valid question if the losses would be so high?

A war which probably have needed support of the just defeated axis powers?

Italy already changed sides, minor countries like Balkan ones doubtless would support the effort, especially gaining industrial help (Lend-Lease), that they did not receive from Germany. The latter, IIRC there were plans to use their forces, but how and when - I have no idea, several scenarios are possible. Japan - perhaps most likely to twist the sides - just a matter of politics.
Please remember about China and Turkey, however.

There may have been Anti-Communist movements in the East, but there were also plenty of Communist militants in the West, now much of it in arms as former Anti-German resistance fighters. These men (and women) would certainly have presented a problem in France, Italy, Greece and even countries like the Netherlands.

Yes, and that is why I have mentioned them. But I would expect more problems in sabotage rather than actual combat - those partisans were not strong enough. For a comparison, IIRC, Polish underground alone had some 1,5 million soldiers against the Soviets and they were fought by about 30 Soviet divisions (writing from memory). Add Ukrainians and other nations and this way you will receive quite an army behind the lines.

There may have been new toys for the Western Allies, but the Soviets had a lot of practical material already in the field, and new material being introduced, and a mentality more capable of sustaining heavy loss, of continued hardship.

This was an industrial war and I do not think SU was able to do anything without supplies of raw materials (including Alclad and 100 grade fuel). Cutting the deliveries could hit them very hard if war was to last any longer.

For some it may not have been a perfect peace, but would the alternative have been so much better (for Europe)?

Count the people conquered by the SU and even add a lot of the latter. The peace was far from perfect and it resulted in several wars outside of Europe. Count the victims of Korea (still counting) and Vietnam and all the other wars like Afghanistan. There was no paradise here (as claimed by that bastard Chomsky) and you cannot make conclusions based on your personal experiences only.

Moderator note:
Like you I enjoy these discussions, but let me make it clear in advance that this discussion must stay civil. I will not allow it to become another politically motivated argument.

Well, it is politics!

PS I am still experiencing trouble configuring mail software, so I cannot reply messages.