I.

Introduction

Cold War, post-1945 struggle between two blocs of nations led by the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Direct military conflict did not occur between the two superpowers, mainly because of mutual fear of nuclear warfare, but intense economic and diplomatic struggles erupted, including the extension of the contest across the world through proxy conflicts in the Third World. Different interests led to mutual suspicion and hostility in an escalating rivalry rooted in ideology. Though some historians, invoking geopolitics and other explanations, now argue that relations between the powers of the Cold War were no worse than between great powers at many other times, the ideological nature of the struggle and the threat of nuclear holocaust helped channel and mask political tensions worldwide that re-emerged once the old mould was broken. Paradoxically, the Cold War secured military peace in Europe for almost 50 years.