"which united states effort is the soviet union responding to in this cartoon?
(1)a commitment to rebuild the league of nations
(2)a plan to join with other nations to reduce military spending
(3)an effort to improve united states–soviet relations
(4)an attempt to stabilize the economy of western europe"

the correct answer option is: weapons.

explanation:

tensions rose as the two opposing superpowers competed for 'weapons'.

referring to the cold war (1945-1991), the two superpowers, usa and ussr, experienced a phase of struggle and conflict with each other. these two superpowers considered each other as a threat to their survival and thus opted for policies to strengthen their positions.

the two superpowers never went to war with each other directly but competed for weapons to preserve their positions.