Final answer:
Ronald Reagan enhanced US defense strength by increasing defense spending by 35%, supporting anti-Communist insurgencies under the Reagan Doctrine, and championing the Strategic Defense Initiative, despite its high cost and eventual abandonment.
Step-by-step explanation:
During his presidency, Ronald Reagan significantly contributed to enhancing the defense strength of the United States. He adopted a foreign policy of "peace through strength", which led to a 35 percent increase in defense spending. Reagan's strategy included both modernizing the military and engaging in diplomatic negotiations to reduce the threat of nuclear conflict. One of his notable initiatives was the controversial Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), intended to develop a space-based system to protect the US from a nuclear missile strike. Despite its eventual abandonment and high cost, SDI represented Reagan's commitment to defense through advanced technology.
Beyond technological advancements, Reagan was proactive in confronting international terrorism, exemplified by launching air strikes against Libya in retaliation for their involvement in a Berlin nightclub bombing that harmed American soldiers. Additionally, the Reagan Doctrine guided his support for anti-Communist insurgencies globally, thereby countering Soviet influence without deploying large numbers of US troops. Maintaining the flow of oil by ordering naval escorts in the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq war further illustrates how Reagan's actions strengthened US defense capacities.
In pursuit of reducing the threat posed by the Soviet Union, Reagan also encouraged the development of new weaponry and provided military support to allies against Communism. Despite efforts to shrink the federal bureaucracy, Reagan and Congress increased the defense budget, contributing to the growth of national bureaucracy around defense needs. His administration's pivotal role in ending the Cold War reflects the effectiveness of his approach to defense and international relations.