"Very ambiguous consequences": why Nikita Khrushchev sought to reduce the number of the Soviet army

On January 6, 1958 the Council of ministers of the USSR adopted the resolution on reduction of armed forces on 300 thousand people. A year later the first secretary of the Central Committee of CPSU Nikita Khrushchev suggested to cut down army for 1 — 1,5 million military personnel. From the point of view of the Soviet leader, the country did not need large army connections in the presence of a powerful nuclear missile board. Analysts consider that, reducing army number, Nikita Khrushchev among the other sought to receive diplomatic and reputation benefits. According to experts, as a result of Khruschev's military reforms the USSR found a nuclear triad, but it affected development...