Thank goodness for their bold visions and partnership on this front. I think Reagan never quite got the credit that he deserved for the nuance of his policies. Yes, he promoted rapid arms buildup, and seemed to view this not just through ways to outpace the USSR (the vision of SDI) but to catch up from years of underinvesting. But this was tightly coupled with his real goal of peace, as he was constantly seeking engagement with the succession of one foot in the grave leaders running the USSR with proposals to reduce the nuclear arsenals. Until Gorbachev came along, those overtures were largely rebuffed.
Thank goodness for their bold visions and partnership on this front. I think Reagan never quite got the credit that he deserved for the nuance of his policies. Yes, he promoted rapid arms buildup, and seemed to view this not just through ways to outpace the USSR (the vision of SDI) but to catch up from years of underinvesting. But this was tightly coupled with his real goal of peace, as he was constantly seeking engagement with the succession of one foot in the grave leaders running the USSR with proposals to reduce the nuclear arsenals. Until Gorbachev came along, those overtures were largely rebuffed.