The Role of the Soviet Union in the Global Cold War: Ideology, Diplomacy, and Proxy Wars

Abstract

This article explores the role of the Soviet Union in the Cold War, focusing on its ideological struggle with the United States and its use of diplomacy and proxy wars to advance its geopolitical interests. The study examines the key events of the Cold War, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, analyzing the Soviet Union’s strategic objectives and the methods it employed to spread its influence around the globe. The paper also explores the role of Soviet leaders such as Nikita Khrushchev and Leonid Brezhnev in shaping foreign policy and managing the superpower rivalry with the United States. By examining Soviet diplomatic initiatives, economic aid to developing countries, and military interventions, the article highlights the global dimensions of the Cold War and the lasting impact of Soviet policies on international relations. The paper concludes by reflecting on how the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 reshaped the global order and the legacy of Soviet Cold War policies in the post-Soviet era.