Mikhail Gorbachev, Who Ended The Cold War, Has Died

Russian news agencies have reported that Mikhail Gorbachev, the man credited with bringing an end to the Cold War and unintentionally contributing to the collapse of the Soviet Union, has died at the age of 91. His passing was announced by the Central Clinical Hospital, as cited by the Associated Press.

Gorbachev served as the final Premier of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. His tenure was characterized by two significant concepts: perestroika, meaning “restructuring,” which represented his efforts to implement reforms, and glasnost, meaning “openness,” symbolizing his desire to break free from the stagnation caused by decades of authoritarian rule and inflexible central planning. Gorbachev sought to restore the Communist Party to its original ideals based on the October Revolution of 1917, led by Vladimir Lenin. This involved opening up the Soviet political system to broader political participation, public scrutiny, and a reconsideration of Josef Stalin’s legacy, which included widespread imprisonment and executions. These changes initiated a period of deep self-reflection for the nation.