Although Soviet economic performance has improved in recent years from the low levels of 1979-82, Gorbachev still faces an economy that cannot simultaneously maintain rapid growth in defense spending, satisfy demand for greater quantity and variety of consumer goods and services, invest the amounts required for economic modernization and expansion, and continue to support client-state economies. Gorbachev, in our view, has a clear understanding of these limitations; he is obviously extremely impatient that they be addressed now. policies that severely limited individual rights and liberties in Eastern Europe. refusal to negotiate arms-reduction treaties that would result in Gorbachev's resignation as president of the Soviet Union. - U.S. foreign-intelligence document, 1985 situation that would contribute to the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe. military strategy that eventually led to aggression between the Soviet Union and the United States. CLEAR ALL

Although Soviet economic performance has improved in recent years from the low levels of 1979-82, Gorbachev still faces an economy that cannot simultaneously maintain rapid growth in defense spending, satisfy demand for greater quantity and variety of consumer goods and services, invest the amounts required for economic modernization and expansion, and continue to support client-state economies. Gorbachev, in our view, has a clear understanding of these limitations; he is obviously extremely impatient that they be addressed now. policies that severely limited individual rights and liberties in Eastern Europe. refusal to negotiate arms-reduction treaties that would result in Gorbachev's resignation as president of the Soviet Union. - U.S. foreign-intelligence document, 1985 situation that would contribute to the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe. military strategy that eventually led to aggression between the Soviet Union and the United States. CLEAR ALL