Tensions between the United States and its unlikely ally in the Soviet Union persisted throughout World War II. Western Allied leaders did not forget the aggressive expansionist policies of Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union, which had already annexed several Eastern European countries and sought to spread communism throughout the world. The differences in ideology and the desire for global dominance set the stage for what would become known as the Cold War.
Experts say the cause of the military conflict can be tied to a complicated history, Russia's tensions with NATO, and the ambitions of Vladimir Putin. The relationship between the US and the Soviet Union was further strained by the implementation of the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan, which aimed to contain the spread of communism and rebuild war-torn Europe. The Soviet Union viewed these actions as a direct threat to their sphere of influence and responded by tightening their grip on Eastern Europe.
How US hubris and Russian paranoia undermined partnership. Thomas Graham. Share. Facebook. Twitter. Email. Flipboard. The United States' belief in its superiority and the Soviet Union's fear of encirclement led to a series of proxy wars and arms races that defined the Cold War era. The Cuban Missile Crisis, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War were all manifestations of the underlying tensions between the two superpowers.
It is often said that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was founded in response to the threat posed by the Soviet Union. NATO's formation in 1949 was a direct response to the perceived threat of Soviet aggression and was designed to provide a collective defense against any potential Soviet incursions into Western Europe. This further escalated tensions between the US and the USSR, as both sides engaged in a dangerous game of brinkmanship.
Although the United States and Soviet Union had begun a process of détente in 1970, both sides were still anxious that the other not achieve any advantage. The signing of arms control agreements such as SALT I and SALT II helped to reduce the risk of nuclear war, but deep-seated mistrust and ideological differences continued to divide the two superpowers. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 further strained relations and marked the beginning of the end of détente.
The Kremlin has described the state of US-Russia relations as “quite lamentable” on the eve of a video call between President Vladimir Putin. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the end of the Cold War, but tensions between the US and Russia persisted. The expansion of NATO into former Soviet bloc countries and Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 further exacerbated the strained relationship between the two countries.
China and India have pursued generally similar bilateral approaches towards Russia during the Russian-Ukrainian War. Both countries have sought to maintain a balanced relationship with Russia while also asserting their own interests in the region. China's Belt and Road Initiative and India's growing economic ties with Russia have further complicated the geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe.
This backgrounder is part of a ChinaPower series on China-Russia relations. Click here to view other content in the series. Following the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and Russia in the early 2000s, the two countries have sought to counter US influence in the region. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS group have provided a platform for cooperation between China, Russia, and other emerging powers.
Sayuri Romei examines Soviet records produced in the aftermath of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the continuing. The legacy of the Cold War continues to shape global politics and security dynamics, with the US and Russia still engaged in a strategic competition for influence and power. The lessons of history remind us of the dangers of ideological conflict and the importance of diplomacy in preventing another catastrophic war.
