Final answer:
During the Cold War, nations such as Yugoslavia shifted their allegiances and pursued nonalignment to various degrees of success, influenced by geopolitical and ideological pressures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Throughout the Cold War, many nations were in a predicament between the United States and the Soviet Union as the world was divided into two ideological camps.
While some countries changed their allegiance for various reasons, such as ideology or coercion, one notable example is Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia, originally aligned with the USSR, later distanced itself and became non-aligned.
Nonaligned countries, which sought to avoid siding with either superpower, had mixed success due to geopolitical pressures and the risk of being drawn into Cold War conflicts.
For instance, some nations were able to maintain independence by playing both sides or pursuing a policy of neutral engagement. Others, however, found themselves subject to covert operations, coups, and intervention due to fears of communist or capitalist influence.
The United States engaged in practices such as supporting French efforts in Vietnam or covert operations in Africa out of fear of communism spreading, showcasing the multifaceted nature of the Cold War beyond direct confrontations.