| Developers | Allies • Axis powers |
| Timeline era | Post-World War II |
| Escalation level | No mutually-assured destruction |
| Nuclear arms race | Limited arms race |
| Major powers involved | United States • Soviet Union • Other European nations • Japan • Other Asian countries |
| Notable nuclear powers | United States • Soviet Union • Other European nations • Japan • Other Asian countries |
| Purpose of nuclear weapons | Symbolic demonstrations of national strength and influence |
| Existential threat response | Significant cooperation on controls and safeguards |
| Proliferation control measures | Controls on nuclear weapons development • Safeguards to limit proliferation and use |
