The United States engaged in proxy wars primarily to counter the expansion of Soviet influence and communism.

The Korean War was a proxy war between the United States and the Soviet Union, with each side supporting opposing factions in Korea.

The Berlin Blockade (1948-1949) is often considered the first proxy war of the Cold War, as it involved the United States and the Soviet Union supporting opposing sides in Germany.

The Vietnam War was a proxy war between the United States and the Soviet Union, with each side supporting opposing factions in Vietnam.

The Salvadoran Civil War (1980-1992) was a major proxy war in Latin America, with the United States supporting the Salvadoran government and the Soviet Union supporting the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN).

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a direct confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union, as the United States demanded the removal of Soviet missiles from Cuba.

The Angolan Civil War (1975-2002) was a major proxy war in Africa, with the United States and the Soviet Union supporting opposing factions in Angola.

The Berlin Wall was constructed in 1961 in response to the Berlin Blockade (1948-1949), which aimed to cut off West Berlin from supplies and force its surrender.

The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) was a major proxy war in the Middle East, with the United States and the Soviet Union supporting opposing factions in Iran and Iraq.

The United States' policy of containment aimed to prevent the spread of communism and the expansion of Soviet influence.

The Vietnam War (1955-1975) was a major proxy war in Southeast Asia, with the United States and the Soviet Union supporting opposing factions in Vietnam.

The domino theory was a key factor in the United States' decision to intervene in the Vietnam War, as it feared that the fall of South Vietnam to communism would lead to the collapse of other Southeast Asian countries.

The Nicaraguan Revolution (1978-1990) was a major proxy war in Central America, with the United States supporting the Contras and the Soviet Union supporting the Sandinistas.

The Soviet Union's policy of peaceful coexistence aimed to promote global peace and cooperation, while still competing with the United States for influence.

The Angolan Civil War (1975-2002) was a major proxy war in Southern Africa, with the United States and the Soviet Union supporting opposing factions in Angola.