I N T R E P X

Chapter 8 of “Folly and Glory” by Tim Weiner focuses on the foreign policy of President Ronald Reagan and the dramatic conclusion of the Cold War. This chapter explores how Reagan’s aggressive stance against the Soviet Union, combined with internal changes within the Soviet system under Mikhail Gorbachev, led to a rapid thawing of Cold War tensions and ultimately the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Weiner delves into Reagan’s strategic vision, the arms race, and the diplomacy that helped bring about the end of a nearly half-century global conflict.

1. Reagan’s Hardline Approach:
Weiner begins by examining Reagan’s initial approach to the Soviet Union, which marked a stark departure from the policy of détente pursued by his predecessors. Reagan viewed the Soviet Union as an “evil empire” and believed that the U.S. needed to take a more confrontational stance to counter Soviet influence. He significantly increased defense spending, pushed for the modernization of the U.S. military, and ramped up the rhetoric against communism.

Central to Reagan’s strategy was the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), dubbed “Star Wars,” a proposed missile defense system intended to protect the U.S. from nuclear attack. Though technically unfeasible at the time, SDI was a bold statement of intent that demonstrated Reagan’s commitment to technological superiority and his willingness to challenge the existing nuclear balance.

2. Escalation of the Arms Race:
Reagan’s military buildup included deploying new intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe, which escalated tensions with the Soviet Union. This move was intended to counter the Soviet SS-20 missiles and demonstrate U.S. resolve in defending NATO allies. However, it also led to large-scale protests in Europe and fears of a renewed nuclear confrontation.

Weiner highlights how Reagan’s strategy put immense pressure on the Soviet Union, which was already struggling with economic stagnation and an unsustainable military budget. The increased arms race exacerbated the Soviet Union’s financial strain, pushing it closer to a breaking point.

3. The Emergence of Mikhail Gorbachev:
The chapter shifts to the Soviet Union, where Mikhail Gorbachev rose to power in 1985. Gorbachev recognized the dire state of the Soviet economy and the need for reform. He introduced policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), aimed at revitalizing the Soviet system through increased transparency and economic modernization.

Weiner describes how Gorbachev’s reforms, though initially aimed at strengthening the Soviet Union, inadvertently accelerated its decline. Glasnost led to greater political freedom and exposed the inefficiencies and corruption of the Soviet system, while perestroika failed to deliver the economic improvements that Gorbachev had hoped for.

4. U.S.-Soviet Diplomacy and the Road to Disarmament:
Despite his hardline rhetoric, Reagan was open to dialogue with the Soviets, especially once Gorbachev demonstrated a willingness to negotiate. Weiner details the series of summits between Reagan and Gorbachev, starting with the Geneva Summit in 1985 and culminating in the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 1987, which eliminated an entire class of nuclear weapons.

The negotiations were challenging, marked by deep mistrust and significant disagreements, particularly over SDI. However, Reagan and Gorbachev developed a personal rapport that helped bridge the divide. The INF Treaty was a landmark achievement, not only for its immediate impact on reducing nuclear arms but also as a symbol of a new era in U.S.-Soviet relations.

5. The Collapse of the Soviet Union:
As Gorbachev continued his reforms, the Soviet grip on Eastern Europe weakened, leading to a wave of revolutions in 1989 that saw communist governments fall across the region. The Berlin Wall, the most potent symbol of the Cold War, fell in November 1989, marking a decisive turning point. Weiner notes that these events unfolded with minimal direct intervention from the U.S., underscoring the internal dynamics driving the collapse of communist regimes.

Weiner explains how the Soviet Union itself began to unravel, with republics declaring independence and nationalist movements gaining momentum. In December 1991, the Soviet Union was formally dissolved, ending the Cold War and leaving the United States as the world’s sole superpower.

6. Reagan’s Legacy and the End of the Cold War:
Weiner concludes the chapter by reflecting on Reagan’s legacy in the Cold War’s end. Reagan’s strategy of combining military strength with diplomatic engagement is credited with hastening the collapse of the Soviet Union, though Weiner acknowledges that many factors contributed to the end of the Cold War, including Gorbachev’s reforms and the inherent weaknesses of the Soviet system.

Reagan’s tenure is portrayed as a pivotal period that redefined U.S. foreign policy, moving from confrontation to cooperation in a remarkably short time. However, Weiner also points out the complexities of Reagan’s legacy, including the risks posed by his initial escalation of tensions and the long-term consequences of the massive defense spending that contributed to the U.S. national debt.

Conclusion:
Chapter 8 of “Folly and Glory” captures the dramatic and often unexpected end of the Cold War, emphasizing the roles of both American pressure and Soviet reforms in bringing about this historic change. Weiner illustrates how Reagan’s willingness to take bold risks, both militarily and diplomatically, played a crucial part in the Cold War’s resolution. At the same time, the chapter underscores the importance of Gorbachev’s transformative leadership and the internal dynamics that ultimately led to the Soviet Union’s dissolution. The end of the Cold War marked a profound shift in global politics, reshaping the international order and leaving the United States as the dominant global power.