ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the main characteristics of the Cold War as they developed differently in the Asia-Pacific region in the context of the Korean War as compared to Europe. The bipolar system was more complicated in the Asia-Pacific than in Europe. The chapter shows that less was at stake for the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, in this region than in Europe, which may explain why the two major wars of the Cold War were fought in this region, while a ‘cold peace’ prevailed in Europe. It presents an overview of the impact on the region of the anti-colonial movement and the complex issues that arose from the emergence of newly independent states and regimes after World War II. The chapter outlines the emergence of the Third World and the related Non-Alignment Movement and considers their regional significance in the Cold War.
