On the television series Enterprise set in the Star Trek universe, the Temporal Cold War is a conflict waged throughout the 3rd and early 4th millennia C.E.

Factions in the war include:

  • 22nd Century Pre-Federation Humanity
  • 22nd Century Tholians
  • 22nd Century Xindi
  • 28th Century unknown party working through the 22nd century Suliban Cabal
  • 31st Century Post-Federation Humanity

Those in the 28th Century are intent on altering the timeline to their own ends. Humanity in the 31st Century is attempting to ascertain the identity of their adversaries and to thwart their efforts.

Interestingly, regarding Earth's historical Cold War, the namesake of this conflict, wikipedia states in part:

"A full-scale war never actually broke out, hence the metaphor of a "cold" war with a predilection for quashing armed conflicts to prevent a "hot" and escalating shooting war whenever possible. Indeed, a good show was made on both sides that the conflict was primarily about economic, philosophic, cultural, social, and political ideology."

These words appear to apply with equal merit to the TCW.

Major events in the Temporal Cold War:

22nd Century

28th Century
  • A faction contacts the Cabal in the past to employ them for their own ends.

31st Century
  • Daniels is sent back in time to protect Enterprise.

See also: Temporal Prime Directive