Wars Won & Lost

America lost every major battle of the Cold War, except the one that mattered, the last. The Korean War ended in a draw, and the Vietnam War became a total lost. The Persian Gulf War, fought as the Soviet Union crumbled, pitted the tactics of a land war in Europe against Russian weapons and strategy. America, taking the lessons of Vietnam to heart, won hands down.
Diplomatically the US excelled during the 40 year stand-off, especially when backed by military power. Without firing a shot, the Air Force ended the Berlin blockade in 1948. Likewise the Navy thwarted Russian plans in Cuba by blockade in 1962. Finally, with Pershing and Cruise Missiles in Europe, President Reagan was able to obtain a real arms agreement from Gorbachev in 1987.