In the first Cold War, both sides needed a Big Enemy to propagandize the home front. The reality of the Big Enemy wasn't really relevant, they just had to be real enough to make the stories plausible.

This Cold War isn't going to be about People vs their Governments. This is actual focused groups with goals and ideas making sure that their opponents can't recognize the battle is underway, much less respond coherently.

The goals and timing are puzzling me too; I feel there's some looming pressure point I haven't perceived yet.