How did analysts view Reagan’s policy?

In the final analysis, Reagan was a “lucky president” – Reagan’s success in managing U.S. foreign policy had little to do with his own efforts but of forces and trends outside US control. The essence of luck is timing and good timing was evident all around Reagan: The Soviet leadership was in crisis and the Soviet economy was experiencing a severe downturn; the Middle East was quiet because of Carter’s achievement in the Camp David agreements, and the international oil markets were favorable to the West. This combination of positive global developments during Reagan’s time allowed him to pursue a status quo foreign policy with a few geopolitical setbacks.  In the end, the radical reorientation of US foreign policy promised by Reagan did not come about. Gone was much of the anti-communist rhetoric. Gone too was the willingness to stand by its third world allies. Arms control was on the agenda and Reagan traveled to China. With his blessing, Marcos was removed because of his human rights violations and anti-democratic policies. Reagan also established a formal dialogue with the PLO.

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