Conflict can be seen as the enduring issue associated with the Cold War due to the prolonged period of tension, hostility, and competition between the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union. The Cold War, which lasted from the late 1940s to the early 1990s, was characterized by political, economic, and ideological conflicts between these two dominant powers.
One aspect of the conflict was the arms race, where both sides engaged in a continuous buildup of nuclear weapons and military capabilities. This resulted in a constant threat of a potential catastrophic conflict and heightened tensions between the two sides. The arms race intensified the conflict and created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
Another dimension of the conflict was the ideological rivalry between capitalism and communism. The United States championed democracy and free-market capitalism, while the Soviet Union promoted communism and a centrally planned economy. This ideological clash fueled conflicts and proxy wars in various parts of the world, such as the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the conflicts in Afghanistan and Central America.
Additionally, the Cold War led to the division of the world into two opposing blocs: the Western bloc led by the United States and the Eastern bloc led by the Soviet Union. The competition for global influence and control resulted in conflicts over spheres of influence, proxy wars, and the establishment of military alliances such as NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
Moreover, the conflict was also manifested in the ideological and political struggles within countries. The United States and the Soviet Union supported opposing sides in numerous internal conflicts, often leading to civil wars and revolutions, as each superpower sought to expand its influence and promote its own political ideology.
Overall, the enduring issue of conflict during the Cold War was characterized by a prolonged period of hostility, competition, and ideological clashes between the United States and the Soviet Union, which had profound impacts on global politics, international relations, and the lives of people around the world.