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.
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.