The impact of the Cold War on international relations was profound and far-reaching. It resulted in a bipolar world dominated by two superpowers: the United States and the Soviet Union. This rivalry stimulated a series of proxy wars and military alliances, exemplified by organizations like NATO and the Warsaw Pact. The Cold War also influenced nuclear diplomacy, leading to arms races and the doctrine of mutually assured destruction (MAD). Beyond military tensions, it fostered ideological divides and shaped policies through containment strategies, humanitarian interventions, and economic assistance programs like the Marshall Plan, reshaping global alliances and conflicts.