Thirty years ago, while a student at the Senior U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA, my classmates and I witnessed an incredible phenomenon. The once feared “Bear” of the Soviet Union, which we had trained all of our respective careers to engage and to defeat on the land, sea, and air, imploded in front of our eyes. The once all-powerful and feared “Evil Empire” was no more.
As many of you may recall, this did not come about by accident. Rather, it came through the determination and strong resolve of then-president Ronald Reagan. Before President Reagan, no other U.S. president had openly declared a stated policy of victory over the Soviet Union.
Upon assuming office, Reagan knew better than to appease the Soviet Union, as many of his predecessors had done. Tyrants respect only power, be it perceived or actual. Reagan set about to break the Soviet Union primarily through his vision of the implementation of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), an anti–ballistic missile program designed to shoot down Soviet nuclear missiles in space. Otherwise known as “Star Wars,” SDI technology sought to create a space-based shield that would render nuclear missiles obsolete.
The Strategic Defense Initiative was ultimately most effective not as an anti–ballistic missile defense system, but rather as a propaganda tool, which put intense military and economic pressure on the Soviet Union to fund its own anti-ballistic missile system. This strategy was proved to be effective because, during the 1980s, the Soviet economy was teetering on the brink of disaster.
At the time, American scientists were not even sure if SDI technology could be developed, and an operational system could ever be deployed. But, despite repeated attempts by the Soviets in subsequent arms control negotiations to block the SDI, Reagan stood firm, and despite repeated pressure from even his own advisers, he did not back down. Although this may not have been the sole factor that led to the downfall of the USSR, the message was clear — the United States would no longer appease our potential adversaries.
More than any other strategy, Reagan’s unwavering commitment to the SDI and “Peace Through Strength” convinced the Soviets that they could never win an arms race and forced Gorbachev to end the Cold War peacefully, at the bargaining table and not on the battlefield.
Compare this moment in history thirty years ago to what is taking place today on the international stage today. It is no accident the Putin’s seizure of Ukraine and the current backing and topcover of Hamas provided by Iran is due to our lack of resolve and timidity as a nation. Red lines have been consistently crossed without consequences. Iran released our hostages minutes only before Reagan took office. Somehow I think if Reagan were in office our hostages would be headed home. Only time will tell …
3 comments
I believe the USA and Ukraine should have kept their commitments to not use NATO as an offensive weapon. Both promised no NATO or any alliance any closer to Russia in 1990. Both are liars. Ukraine actually made it part of their Constitution. They removed that commitment in 2014, so Putin took Crimea. Biden created the US/Ukraine Strategic Charter in 2021 because of the millions the Ukraine paid him while he was VP. So, Putin responded. The massive weapons build up the USA has designed for years has led us to provoke. Congress is totally corrupt. Yes, the Ukraine paid the Biden crime family millions. And, in 2022 alone, AIPAC spend $2.2 million for vacations for crooked members of Congress in Israel. The same Congress that condemns SCOTUS for taking vacations worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from billionaires with cases before SCOTUS. And, then there is the SCOTUS book deal. They are all a bunch of crooks. Congress allowed chip production to leave the USA in exchange for campaign and PAC loot. So, now we desperately need Taiwan. Name one time any Israeli troop has ever died for the USA. Just one Israeli troop that had died fighting as an ally to the USA or anybody else? The Israeli government let their country down by not knowing what was going on in Gaza. Those members of the Israeli government responsible for allowing Hamas to facilitate this should be executed for treason.
Our massive weapons build up has not stopped China, Russia, Hamas, Hezbolah, N. Korea, or anybody else. Not even the foreign drug dealers. Wisdom and righteousness deter aggression. Not US deficit dollars, or crooked, fat, lazy, politicians and lawyers. The Bible is really the only truth we have left, and in it will one find wisdom.
Luke 6:43, No bad tree can bring forth good fruit.
Congress and the White House, are both very bad trees.
This point must be understood and never forgotten. Bullies are cowards. When we stand up to them, they stop. And if it is a mad dog, it cannot be negotiated with, only removed. The SDI commitment, which was attacked by so many, is another lesson in steadfastness, and the success of believing in yourself and our country being right in standing up to a bully.
Peace through strength. Trust but verify. Lessons to live by.