During the Cold War, which lasted roughly from the late 1940s to the early 1990s, global politics and conflicts were heavily influenced in several ways:

1. Bi-Polar World: The Cold War created a bi-polar world dominated by two superpowers, the United States (USA) and the Soviet Union (USSR). Countries aligned themselves with either side, leading to alliances like NATO (led by the USA) and the Warsaw Pact (led by the USSR).
2. Arms Race: There was a fierce competition between the USA and the USSR to develop and stockpile nuclear weapons and other military technologies. This arms race heightened global tensions and influenced military strategies worldwide.
3. Proxy Wars: Instead of direct military confrontation, both sides engaged in proxy wars in various parts of the world. Examples include the Korean War, Vietnam War, and conflicts in Africa and Latin America, where local factions supported by the USA and USSR fought each other.
4. Ideological Competition: The Cold War was also an ideological struggle between capitalism (represented by the USA) and communism (represented by the USSR). This competition influenced political ideologies, policies, and alliances across the globe.
5. Globalization of Conflicts: Conflicts during the Cold War often took on a global dimension as superpowers and their allies intervened in the affairs of other countries, leading to instability and long-lasting effects on regional politics.