Leonid Brezhnev was a prominent Soviet politician who served as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1964 to 1982. He played a key role in shaping Soviet policies during the Cold War, promoting a period known as the Brezhnev Doctrine, which justified Soviet intervention in other socialist countries. His leadership was marked by a focus on military strength and heavy industry. Brezhnev's era is often associated with political stability but also economic stagnation, known as stagnation. He oversaw a significant arms race with the United States and maintained a strong influence in Eastern Europe. Brezhnev's health declined in the late 1970s, leading to a gradual loss of power until his death in 1982.