By the height of the Cold War, the USSR was one of the most paranoid countries/governments in the history of the world. Despite the demonstrated power of their military, their relative success in subverting the Third World, and their own propaganda, they were scared to death that they weren't good enough to hold back the "evil" that had them surrounded, literally. And they had some justification...try to find another country that can point to invasions by both Sweden and the US of A. France and Germany had not, over their joint existence, agreed on much, but they'd both thought Moscow would be a swell place to put an army or two... The amount of money and effort expended by the Soviets on weapons of war beginning in the 30s was enormous, Ronnie Raygun or not. Actually, I've always given most of the credit to LeMay and Rickover, whose single mindedness and focus on their respective Triad contributions, makes them two of the most important flag officers in US history, IMO...
They spent themselves to death. There are 3 names in this post, I'm sure there are others, Le Grande Charles insisting on a Nuclear response capability for France, for example...but, they spent themselves to death, and they started when Ronnie was still making B movies.
They spent themselves to death. There are 3 names in this post, I'm sure there are others, Le Grande Charles insisting on a Nuclear response capability for France, for example...but, they spent themselves to death, and they started when Ronnie was still making B movies.