Final answer:
The quote 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' reflects the shifting alliances and strategic interests during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Their temporary alignment in World War II turned into a profound enmity post-war, each aiming to curb the other's influence through global political and military engagement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quote 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' pertains to the complex relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. This adage is exemplified by the United States' and the Soviet Union's brief alliance during World War II against Nazi Germany, despite having opposing ideologies and mutual distrust. After the war, their relationship deteriorated, marked by the Cold War confrontation, where both nations viewed each other as principal opponents on the world stage. The United States feared the spread of communism and the Soviet desire for world domination, as outlined in George Kennan's long telegram. Conversely, the Soviet Union saw the U.S. as an imperialist threat and sought to promote communism to counteract U.S. influence and protect its interests.
During the Cold War, the dynamics of 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' were also seen in the interactions with other nations. For instance, there was a falling out between the Soviet Union and China due to ideological disagreements and power struggles, which ultimately led to a shift in alliances, with the United States later opening relations with China. Most notably, the U.S.-Soviet enmity reached a crux when the Soviet Union intervened militarily in Afghanistan, paralleling American actions in supporting unpopular regimes for strategic interests. This involvement proved economically and politically costly for the Soviet Union, contributing to its eventual dissolution and the end of the Cold War.