Reagan knew what he was doing when he authorized the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) or “Star Wars Defense”. It was based not only on intelligence about the continuing major Soviet missile buildup programs, but also on the B-Team Report on the 1970’s Soviet military build up, headed by “Collins” (LOC) and Gen. Daniel Graham (US Army DIA head, Deputy CIA head, Vietnam veteran, etc. and classmate of mine in 1977 at an international affairs and defense strategies seminar held by the Un. of Miami, Prof. Leon Goure’ heading it).
Reagan knew how the communists thought and fought, and he was nobody’s fool, esp. after the anti-defense debacle of the Carter surrender Administration. He knew what the treats were and what had to be done. In the late 80s/early 90’s, his work paid off with the (apparent) downfall of the Soviet Empire/Union (which reemerged smaller but just as dangerous in some areas under Putin).
Reagan defeated the Soviet Union with technology, shrewd diplomacy, and economic warfare.
Sound familiar?