Why does Regan ask these questions in his speech? "Are these the beginnings of profound changes in the Soviet state? Or are they token gestures, intended to raise false hopes in the West, or to strengthen the Soviet system without changing it."

no statements but ok.

the statement that best describes the idea of manifest destiny that was used in the 19th century would be that "it was fate that the united states would continue to  expand westward," since people thought the us was "destined" to do so. 

the answer is c.

i hope this .

the lachish letters were written by hoshaiah, a military officer stationed possibly in mareshah,   and sent to yaush, possibly the commanding officer at lachish.

the series of letters were written in carbon ink in ancient hebrew on clay ostraca, shortly before lachish fell to the babylonian army of king nebuchadnezzar in 588/6 bc during the reign of zedekiah, king of judah.