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1. "Star Wars" refers to the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) proposed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. This initiative aimed to develop a missile defense system to protect the United States from potential nuclear attacks.
2. The massive cost and technological challenges associated with the "Star Wars" program put significant pressure on the already struggling Soviet economy. The Soviet Union attempted to match the U.S. efforts in developing a similar defense system, which strained their resources even further.
3. The financial burden of trying to keep pace with the U.S. in the arms race, coupled with existing economic problems, exacerbated the Soviet Union's economic crisis. This economic strain played a role in the eventual downfall of the Soviet Union as it struggled to sustain its military and address the needs of its people simultaneously.
In summary, the "Star Wars" initiative indirectly contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union by accelerating its economic decline through a costly arms race and diverting resources away from addressing internal issues.
