What was a primary reason for the Soviet Union's and the United States' decision to engage in a cold war rather than a hot war?
Both had just finished a devastating war, and neither had the will or resources to start another.
Neither country’s military leaders would accept orders to engage in a hot war at that time.
Both required approximately two years of peace-time to recover their ammunition stores.
Neither country wanted to take a stand regarding their political and economic ideals.