a state of political hostility between countries using means short of armed warfare
a state of political hostility that existed from 1945 until 1990 between countries led by the Soviet Union and countries led by the United States
A period of hostile relations between rivals where direct open warfare between them is largely undesired and avoided.
The period of hostility short of open war between the Soviet Bloc and the Western powers, especially the United States, 1945–1991.