Question

Select the correct answer from each drop-down menu.

The United States and the Soviet Union avoided nuclear war because they did not engage in ____

However, both chose to fight _____ wars by providing military assistance to their allies in smaller conflicts.​

Answer 1

1: The United States and the Soviet Union avoided nuclear war because they did not engage in *an arms race*. ... wars by providing military assistance to their allies in smaller conflicts

Answer 2

The United States and the Soviet Union avoided nuclear war because they did not engage in direct military confrontations with one another. However, both chose to fight proxy wars by providing military assistance to their allies in smaller conflicts.

During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union avoided direct military engagement, preventing a catastrophic nuclear war. Instead, they pursued a strategy of proxy wars, indirectly confronting each other by supporting conflicting factions in smaller, regional conflicts.

This approach allowed the superpowers to assert their influence without triggering a direct confrontation. Examples include the Korean War, Vietnam War, and conflicts in the Middle East. The avoidance of direct conflict helped maintain global stability, albeit with significant human and geopolitical costs in the proxy wars. This strategic dance defined the Cold War era, characterized by ideological tensions and geopolitical maneuvering.