《冷戰研究雜志》以前共產主義世界和西方國家的檔案研究為基礎的同行評議文章為特色。一些文章對重要的歷史事件或主題進行了重新評估，強調了解密文件和新的第一手資料所必需的解釋變化。其他文章試圖為當前的理論辯論帶來新的證據。許多現有的國際和國內政治理論都依賴于冷戰時期的概括，但直到最近，這些概括的證據充其量還是微不足道的。《冷戰研究》雜志上的文章使用了解密的材料和來自前東區和西方國家的新回憶錄來闡明和提出許多理論問題，包括決策理論、威懾理論、官僚政治理論、制度形成、談判、外交、外交政策、外交政策和外交政策。以及國際關系。根據最新的證據，《華爾街日報》的文章將這些理論和其他理論進行了嚴格的實證分析。《華爾街日報》強調將新證據用于理論目的，絕不會排除可靠的歷史重新評估，但特別鼓勵在理論背景下撰寫文章。該雜志的編輯委員會由32位杰出的政治科學家、歷史學家和國際關系專家組成。

The Journal of Cold War Studies features peer-reviewed articles based on archival research in the former Communist world and in Western countries. Some articles offer reevaluations of important historical events or themes, emphasizing the changes of interpretation necessitated by declassified documents and new firsthand accounts. Other articles seek to bring new evidence to bear on current theoretical debates. Many existing theories of international and domestic politics have relied on generalizations from the Cold War period, but until very recently the evidence for these generalizations was tenuous at best. Articles in the Journal of Cold War Studies use declassified materials and new memoirs from the former Eastern bloc and Western countries to illuminate and raise questions about numerous theoretical concerns, including theories of decision-making, deterrence, bureaucratic politics, institutional formation, bargaining, diplomacy, foreign policy conduct, and international relations. Drawing on the latest evidence, articles in the Journal subject these theories, and others, to rigorous empirical analysis. The Journal's emphasis on the use of new evidence for theoretical purposes is in no way intended to exclude solid historical reassessments, but articles set within a theoretical context are particularly encouraged.The Journal's Editorial Board consists of 32 distinguished political scientists, historians, and specialists on international relations.