Cold war in Europe at the end of 1949

Historical maps from Worldinmaps.com, now part of TerraScientifica.

The first indirect conflict during the cold war was the civil war in Greece in 1949. The Rebel Communist militia (supported by the Soviets and armed by Yugoslavia) enters into a civil war against the Monarchy (supported by the UK and then the USA). However, following to tensions, the USSR breaks its alliance with Yugoslavia. This weakens the Greeks communists who finally were forced to lay down their arms. As a result, Greece became part of the Western Bloc.