Yuri Andropov was a prominent Soviet politician who served as the General Secretary of the Communist Party from 1982 until his death in 1984. Before this role, he was the head of the KGB, the Soviet Union's main security agency, where he focused on internal security and intelligence operations. His leadership style was marked by a push for reform within the Soviet system. Andropov's tenure as General Secretary was brief, but he is remembered for his attempts to address issues like corruption and economic stagnation. He also sought to improve relations with the West, particularly with the United States, during a tense period of the Cold War.