The Soviet Union did not disintegrate during Reagan's term, but during his next Bush presidency. 199 1 However, Reagan's policies have caused heavy losses to the Soviet economy, so it has something to do with him.

In the 1970s, when oil prices soared, the Soviet Union's oil export revenue increased by 280%, and its export volume increased by 22%. The price of the world oil market plays a decisive role in the viability of the Soviet economy. An increase of $65,438+0 in oil price per barrel means that the Kremlin will get about $654,380 billion in extra hard currency, while a decrease in oil price means a decrease in income. In addition, unlike other oil-producing countries, the Soviet Union will not be able to increase its income by increasing production because its oil production capacity has reached its limit.

The United States is a big oil importer, and it costs nearly $200 billion to buy oil every year. The most suitable oil price for the American economy was $20 per barrel, while the oil price per barrel was $34 at that time. If the oil price in the international market drops to $20 per barrel, the economic cost of the United States will drop by $70 billion a year, which means that 1% of the existing GNP will be converted into the income of American consumers. And the overall economic situation in the United States will obviously improve. Lowering oil prices can not only hit the Soviet Union hard, but also increase its own income. Why not?

Saudi Arabia is very worried about the encirclement of Saudi Arabia after the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. For common interests, Americans and Saudis sat together. Because Saudi Arabia's oil production accounts for 40% of OPEC's output, unlike other oil-producing countries, Saudi Arabia can quickly use its oil reserves.