Answer: Si vis pacem, para bellum is a Latin adage translated as "If you want peace, prepare for war". The phrase is used above all to assert that one of the most effective means to ensure peace for a nation is always to be armed and ready to defend oneself. In the cold war both superpowers were prepared to face a world confrontation but they were responsible enough not to use the power they had in fear of the retalliation or fear of the consequences.
The Cuban missile Crisis was a direct consequence of the arms race since Russia wanted to enlarge its nuclear power and the USA strongly opposed that.