His Star Wars programme made it clear to the financially-challenged Soviet Union that it could not hope to compete with the US in an arms race.

He worked with Pope John Paul II to challenge the Communist regime in Poland.

He also authorised the supply of money and weapons to the mujahideen fighting the Soviet army in Afghanistan, the aftermath of which has come to haunt the US.

Ronald Reagan works on his State of the Nation address in the Oval Office at the White House, April 28, 1981.

External Links:
Reagan was a paradox
Ronald Reagan: Still the Teflon President?
In the end, he outwitted them all

Also see: Return of the Reformer