By the late 1980s, structural flaws within the Soviet system, growing economic problems, the rise of anti-communist sentiment and the effects of the Soviet–Afghan War made it increasingly impractical for the Soviet Union to impose its will on its neighbors.
1980年代末，苏联内部结构的缺陷、不断加剧的经济问题、反共产主义情感的加剧和阿富汗战争得后果使得苏联对其周边国家的控制越来越困难。