What countries were involved in the cold war and why?

The Cold War primarily involved the United States and its allies, representing the capitalist Western bloc, against the Soviet Union and its communist allies in the Eastern bloc. This ideological conflict arose after World War II, as both superpowers sought to expand their political influence and economic systems globally. Key countries involved included Eastern European nations under Soviet influence, Western European countries aligned with the U.S., China, and various nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America that became battlegrounds for proxy conflicts. The Cold War was characterized by competition for military dominance, nuclear arms races, and conflicting ideologies.