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Cold War

Topic

The Cold War was a state of geopolitical tension after the end of World War II. It pitted the Eastern Bloc (the Soviet Union and its allies) against the Western Bloc (the United States, its NATO allies).

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

Two black-and-white photos of Georgi Markov (left) attached by paperclips to a faded color photograph of Francesco Gullino (right)

Who was the Cold War 'umbrella assassin?'

Who was the Cold War 'umbrella assassin?'

A new documentary sheds some light on Francesco Gullino, the prime suspect in the 1978 murder of Georgi Markov.
CrimeMarch 21, 2023
A black and white photo of US helicopters and soldiers in Vietnam

Looking at Germany's role in the Vietnam War 50 years later

Looking at Germany's role in the Vietnam War 50 years later

DW looks at how Germany's support for Vietnam during the war was divided by east and west.
HistoryJanuary 27, 2023
A heart shaped red balloon flies against a blue sky.

40 years since Nena's '99 Luftballons' became a global hit

40 years since Nena's '99 Luftballons' became a global hit

Despite the recording company's initial doubts about the song's potential, "99 Red Balloons" topped charts worldwide.
MusicJanuary 23, 2023
German singer Nena in a pink headband on stage with her band

'99 Luftballons' celebrates its 40th anniversary

'99 Luftballons' celebrates its 40th anniversary

Nena's Cold War-era single was one of the biggest German-language hits ever.
MusicJanuary 19, 202302:00 min
Reconstruction of the tunnel built by American intelligence and British between 1954 and 1955 to link the west and east side of the city and intercept the Soviet telephone conversations. Allied Museum (Alliierten Museum). Berlin. Germany.

Berlin: A city of spies

Berlin: A city of spies

Here are some must-see locations for anyone eager to learn about the history of espionage and subterfuge in Berlin.
TravelJanuary 3, 20238 images
journalists and guards waiting for a released US spy in 1962

US-Russia prisoner swap triggers memories of Cold War Berlin

US-Russia prisoner swap triggers memories of Cold War Berlin

The latest exchange of prisoners between Russia and the US reminded many Germans of events at Berlin's Glienicke Bridge.
HistoryDecember 10, 2022
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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

Black and white photo of people lighting candles in Leipzig for a prayer for peace in October 1989

Germans revive Cold War Monday demonstrations

Monday protests organized by both the left and the right evoke mixed feelings in Germany.
SocietySeptember 5, 2022
two men play chess at a table

Cold War on a chessboard

The 1972 "Match of the Century" saw Bobby Fischer of the US challenge the Soviet Union's Boris Spassky.
CultureAugust 31, 2022
Goethe-Institut sign on a building

Goethe-Institut marks its 70th anniversary

For Goethe-Institut President Carola Lentz, the cultural institution's history is marked by permanent reinvention.
CultureNovember 23, 2021
The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) transits the South China Sea with th Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67). Reagan is part of Task Force 70/Carrier Strike Group 5, conducting underway operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific

Are US, China tiptoeing toward Cold War?

After Washington said it will share highly sensitive defense tech with Australia, all eyes are on the Indo-Pacific.
ConflictsSeptember 24, 2021
black and white photo of construction workers building the Berlin Wall

60 years ago, the Berlin Wall went up

The German capital was divided after WWII, but people were able to move freely around the city — until August 13, 1961.
HistoryAugust 13, 2021
Skip next section Opinion

Opinion

DW Zulfikar Abbany

Outer space and out of date

Zulfikar Abbany
Commentary
ScienceOctober 10, 2022
Mimi Mefo

US failure in Afghanistan: What lessons for Africa?

Mimi Mefo Takambou
Commentary
ConflictsAugust 20, 2021
Eggert Konstantin

Biden lifts Putin out of global isolation

Konstantin Eggert
Commentary
PoliticsJune 17, 2021
de Oliveira Prange Kommentarbild App

Help, the helpers are coming!

Astrid Prange
Commentary
PoliticsFebruary 23, 2019
Alexander Busch

A new Cold War in Venezuela?

Alexander Busch
Commentary
PoliticsFebruary 13, 2019