How could NATO and Warsaw have led to nuclear war?

NATO and the Warsaw Pact, as opposing military alliances during the Cold War, heightened tensions between the West and the Soviet bloc, creating an environment where miscalculations could lead to conflict. The presence of nuclear weapons within both alliances meant that any conventional conflict could rapidly escalate into a nuclear exchange. Incidents such as the Cuban Missile Crisis exemplified how close the world came to nuclear war due to misunderstandings and aggressive posturing. Ultimately, the rivalry fostered an arms race, increasing the likelihood of a catastrophic misstep.