This volume investigates the official diplomatic record and strategic priorities of the United States government during the 1985 calendar year. David S. Patterson, a seasoned historian within the Department of State, compiles and contextualizes primary source materials to document the administration's approach to global affairs. The work serves as a formal record of policy shifts, treaty negotiations, and international communications that defined the mid-1980s geopolitical landscape.

Historians and political scientists utilize this volume as a primary reference for verifying the official stance of the U.S. government during the Reagan administration. The text is noted for its high density of archival data, making it a standard resource for academic research into late 20th-century diplomacy.