Moscow Airlift

When Gorbachev committed his country to purchasing at least eight million tons of grain over the next five years by signing the historic U.S./Soviet grain deal in 1991, he knew the country was broke. Inflation in the Soviet Union is almost out of control; the government is losing its iron grip on the population and in March; and the Soviet parliament votes to dissolve the Soviet Union. Hardliners want Gorbachev out of power and the Iranians see the turmoil as a chance to acquire tactical nu...