Tzu Ronald Reagan inherited a terrible economy, a nation with no international respect, and a bold, expanding Soviet Union. He tossed away the old concept of military parity along with the Carter concept of capitulation and took it upon himself to defeat the Soviet Union. Reagan recognized that a socialist economy barely functions. By rebuilding American armed forces, Reagan challenged the Soviet Union to keep up. But the Soviets were willing to bleed their people dry.
Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuvering for advantageous positions.
Tzu Reagan had a stroke of brilliance. The Soviets relied upon hard currency to maintain their straining military budget. 2-They buy American military hardware. Arabia increase oil production to meet American demand. The Saudi's opened up the oil spigots.