The Cold War deeply affected U.S.-Soviet relations, characterized by political and military tension between the two superpowers following World War II. The ideological clash between capitalism and communism led to conflicts, proxy wars, and an arms race, including the development of nuclear weapons. Major events, such as the Berlin Blockade, the Korean War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis, heightened hostilities and distrust. Efforts to engage in diplomacy, such as arms control agreements, were often overshadowed by competing global interests. The Cold War ultimately persisted for decades, shaping international relations and policies until its decline in the early 1990s.