How effective was the Soviet Union in fulfilling their objectives during the Cold War?

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union was able to fulfill some of their objectives. The Soviet Union wanted their system of communism to spread. While it didn’t spread everywhere, it did spread throughout Eastern Europe and parts of Asia. For example, China became a communist country in 1949 when the Nationalists were defeated, and Vietnam became a communist country once the Vietnam War ended in 1975.
The Soviet Union was able to establish its economic plans during the Cold War. They developed five-year plans for their economy and implemented them. They also were able to build up their military and their supply of nuclear weapons. The Soviet Union became a country that was strong and powerful.
It was near the end of the Cold War that conditions began to unravel throughout many areas controlled by the Soviet Union. People began to demand more freedoms, and the economy began to crumble as so much money was spent on military matters. However, throughout most of the Cold War, the Soviet Union was able to accomplish certain objectives.
https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/archives/sovi.html