Clouds, Clocks and Sitting at Tables

The two dominant great powers (US and USSR) during the Cold War differed in terms of national interests, ideology, and mutual mis-perceptions.  From the Berlin Blockade, through Afghanistan, these two powers confronted each other in a series of confrontations, none of which escalated to all-out war.  Many believe that the world has never been closer to nuclear power war than during the Cuban Missile Crisis.