Cold War

"Although we have made great strides during the recovery efforts, we're still technically not ready for another galactic confrontation. If the necessary precautions are taken, millions will die."

- First Minister Linariley T'eavius

The Cold War was an intense, seven-month long standoff between the Interstellar Republic and the Yahg Empire.

Peace was finally attained following the Reaper invasion of 2186, but tensions rose sharply with the sudden emergence of the yahg on the galactic stage. Border skirmishes and proxy wars between the Republic and Empire erupted, and the momentary calmness was broken when the conflict soon escalated into open warfare.

Shattered peace
"Our goal is complete galactic conquest, to take our place as ruler in the cosmic imperative. For it was declared our birthright." "Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but you and the rest of your kind are about to learn a painful lesson when choosing to go down that route. And I mean a very painful lesson."

- Yahg commander Moreck Jornock and Republic Defense Minister John Shepard, meeting face-to-face for the first time

After nearly eleven years since the end of the Reaper invasion, a decade of peace followed suit―allowing the denizens of the galaxy time to recover. Ultimately, however, a moment's rest was shattered when the yahg made their appearance as a recent spacefaring species known and uneasy tension with the Yahg Empire began to rise―with the Interstellar Republic not yet prepared for full-scale war.

Appearances in other media

 * Mass Effect: A Hero's Legacy (First appearance)