The idea behind SDI is to put an end to the Nuclear Age.....
Carter knew virtually nothing about the Soviet Union, and was surprised when they behaved badly in Afghanistan, saying he would have to rethink his position on them. It is strange, since Zbigneiw Brezinski is no fool, but Carter was naive. He did, finally, support the mujaheddin, which was good, but we were fortunate that the Soviets were comparatively non- commital in Afghanistan.
Reagan, by countering Soviet adventurism, and succeeding in installing the SS- 20s, and by turning up the rhetorical heat, practically guaranteed that the reformers would be given a crack at mounting a peace offensive. Reagan created the conditions that allowed Gorbachev to get and keep power. Once glasnost got going, and people could speak their minds, faith in the system was impaired. Perestroika didn't help much. The demoralization of conscripts who had been in Afghanistan was affecting the willingness of people to serve in the Armed Forces. But the biggest thing was this: the Soviets already spent more than 25% of their GDP on the military, and was having to deal with a sort of consumer revolt due to the shabby quality of goods and services. They could not compete if we pursued SDI, not unless they could figure out how to turn the economy around, which was not working. Thus, Gorbachev and his people went beyond the initial terms of reform, towards the devolution of power from the Communist Party, and the "normalization" of the Soviet Union. Hardliners finally tried to move on him, but Yeltsin stood up to them, and essentially the military sided with reform......... |
