FOUND: 9 | Mind Blowing Facts

Mikhail Gorbachev's legacy: sadly, history will judge this good man harshly

No other person but the final leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev – who has died aged 91 – could bring to life the eternal debate on the role of the individual in history. Does real change happen because of impersonal structural factors, or because of individual choice by…

The Conversation · Aug 31, 2022

Vladimir Putin and Mikhail Gorbachev's competing visions for Russia's future ultimately saw the two men turn on each other

When Vladimir Putin became president in 2000, he had no greater champion than Mikhail Gorbachev. But as Putin slowly transformed Russia into an imperial presidency, the two men turned against each other.

ABC News · Aug 31, 2022

Pope Francis praises Gorbachev as far-sighted statesman

Pope Francis on Wednesday praised the late Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev as a far-sighted statesman who was committed to improving relations among nations.

Reuters · Aug 31, 2022

Gorbachev remembered: Respected in the West, detested in Russia

Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev is dead. Given the tributes being paid to him in the West for his efforts to end the Cold War, it might be difficult to appreciate just how unpopular he became in his native Russia.

The Conversation · Aug 31, 2022

Mikhail Gorbachev: southern Africans have a special reason to thank him

The whole world has much to thank Mikhail Gorbachev for. As many have pointed out since his death in Moscow earlier this week, Gorbachev – the last leader of the Soviet Union – did more than anyone to bring the Cold War to an end peacefully, reducing the threat that…

The Conversation · Aug 31, 2022

Why was Gorbachev so popular in West, so unpopular in Russia?

The death of Mikhail Gorbachev prompted gushing tributes from across the West on Wednesday but much less of a reaction in Russia. FRANCE 24 examines why Gorbachev is lionised in the West for his role in ending the Cold War, but scorned in Russia for overseeing the collapse of the…

France 24 · Aug 31, 2022

How Gorbachev's 'perestroika' resonated on the African continent

The late Mikhail Gorbachev is praised in the West for helping to end the Cold War and a bipolar world in which Soviet-allied African countries found themselves at the mercy of strategic struggles between Washington and Moscow. Released from the 'bear-hug', some states faired better than others.

Radio France Internationale · Aug 31, 2022

Mikhail Gorbachev: five things you need to know

Mikhail Gorbachev was a voice of sanity in a crazy cold war world, and his death marks the end of a particular era in 20th century history. During his time as leader of the Soviet Union (1985-1991), Gorbachev brought about enormous change in Russian politics and society, in international relations,…

The Conversation · Aug 31, 2022

‘It took me decades to realise what Gorbachev gave me’

Mansur Mirovalev reflects on the Soviet leader, who has died at 91.

Al Jazeera · Aug 31, 2022

TfL secures bailout, everyone is unhappy

The UK government is no stranger to unequal treaties. The most infamous of all was the Treaty of Nanjing, which ended the First Opium War (1839-1842) between Great Britain and the Qing dynasty.

Evening Standard · Aug 31, 2022