Cold War tensions
Definition
Cold War tensions refer to the political, ideological, and military rivalries between the United States and the Soviet Union that emerged after WWII. It was characterized by a state of non-military hostility, arms race, and competition for global influence.
Analogy
Imagine two virtual nations playing an intense online multiplayer game against each other. They may not be directly attacking each other's territories, but they are engaged in fierce competition to outperform one another and gain dominance in the virtual world.
Related terms
Nuclear arms race: The competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to develop more powerful nuclear weapons during the Cold War.
Proxy wars: Conflicts fought by third parties on behalf of major powers involved in the Cold War, such as Vietnam or Afghanistan.
Détente: A period of improved relations and reduced tension between the United States and the Soviet Union during parts of the 1970s.
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