The fall of the Berlin Wall had profound ripple effects throughout Eastern Europe. As an emblematic moment of the Cold War's decline, it emboldened many other countries under Soviet influence to push for reform and autonomy. In rapid succession, countries like Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia began transitioning towards democracy and market economies. The Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia, for instance, was a peaceful transition of power inspired in part by events in Berlin. Similarly, Romania saw a violent revolution that ousted dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. The swift domino effect underscored the fragility of the Soviet grip on Eastern Europe and the overwhelming desire of its nations for freedom and self-determination.

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, signed in 1987 by Reagan and Gorbachev, was a landmark arms control agreement. It required both the US and USSR to eliminate all of their ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometres. The treaty marked the first time the superpowers agreed to reduce their nuclear arsenals, destroy weapons, and permit extensive on-site inspections for verification. In the context of the Cold War, it symbolised a significant thaw in relations, showcasing mutual trust and the shared desire to avoid nuclear confrontation. The treaty paved the way for further arms reduction agreements, reaffirming the diminishing appetite for Cold War hostilities.

Boris Yeltsin rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a critic of Gorbachev’s approach to reform. His vocal opposition to the 1991 coup attempt, where he famously stood atop a tank to address crowds, cemented his image as a defender of democracy. As President of the Russian Federation, Yeltsin adopted a more radical approach to reform than Gorbachev. While Gorbachev sought a middle path, attempting to reform the existing communist system with perestroika and glasnost, Yeltsin advocated for a rapid transition to a market economy and full-scale democratisation. This involved extensive privatisation, resulting in significant economic hardships and the rise of oligarchs.

While President Reagan’s missile defence proposal was officially termed the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), it was quickly dubbed “Star Wars” by its critics. The name "Star Wars" is a reference to the popular sci-fi film series created by George Lucas. The SDI envisioned deploying advanced technological systems, including space-based lasers and satellite components, to intercept incoming Soviet missiles. Critics believed that the initiative was overambitious, unfeasible, and potentially escalatory in the arms race. By equating the programme with science fiction, they implied that it was more of a fantastical idea rather than a practical defence strategy.

The USSR's dissolution was the culmination of various internal factors. Firstly, the economic stagnation in the 1980s intensified by a global oil glut and expensive arms race with the US put severe strain on Soviet finances. Secondly, Gorbachev's policies, particularly glasnost, inadvertently sparked widespread discontent. As people became more informed, they became increasingly critical of the inefficiencies and corruptions within the system. Additionally, the rise of nationalist sentiments in various Soviet republics, fuelled by long-standing ethnic and historical grievances, challenged the centralised Soviet rule. These republics began demanding more autonomy, with some, like the Baltic states, pushing for complete independence. The combined weight of these factors rendered the Soviet system untenable.