Tensions exacerbated by the Cold War rivalry between superpowers led to significant geopolitical shifts. The ideological conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union resulted in proxy wars, arms races, and heightened international suspicion. Notable conflicts included the Vietnam War and the Korean War, which deepened divisions and led to extensive military alliances like NATO and the Warsaw Pact. Furthermore, these tensions influenced decolonization efforts in the Global South, as newly independent nations navigated the competing influences of the two powers, shaping their political futures.