Superpower rivalry from "summary" of The Cold War by John Lewis Gaddis

The Cold War period saw a major power struggle between two ideologically opposed groups: the capitalist West and the communist East. During this time, rivalries between nations escalated as each side sought to undermine their opponents’ standing in the international sphere.

No matter which nation was involved, superpower rivalry was never more apparent than during the early existence of the United Nations. Countries like the USA and the Soviet Union competed for global supremacy throughout this era, regardless of its official stance on many topics.

Espionage was rampant across both sides of the conflict as governments attempted to gain an intelligence advantage over their rivals. Using covert agents and advanced techniques, countries grappled for any edge they could get over one another.

One common thread throughout the history of superpower rivalry is the weaponisation of information. Both superpowers leveraged propaganda to support their own causes and discredit those of their enemies. Through media campaigns and carefully orchestrated public relations efforts, they sought to win hearts and minds around the world.

As tensions continued to simmer throughout the Cold War years, economic sanctions became a potent weapon used by nations against each other. These measures usually consisted of targeted goods restrictions or asset freezes meant to punish certain entities within an enemy state without drastic repercussions.

Finally, proxy wars were also a tool used by nations competing for dominance. By supporting and funding insurgent movements, governments sought to improve their own geopolitical ends while weakening their opponents at the same time.

Of course, military build ups also played a role in promoting a country’s place in the pecking order. Nations with strong armies were able to increase their influence worldwide and protect themselves from adversaries abroad.