Question

The Soviet Union of the 1980s did not need to be defeated,

because it would "deteriorate, or break down from within." What did he mean?

Answer 1

Over time, the Soviet Union was most definitely not popular and that made it so that there were little opportunities for them to show their power. This lead to an over time downfall of the Union and by 1990, they had deteriorated and broke down on their own due to their awful reputation without the need of a war.