Leader: Mikhail Gorbachev
Geopolitical analyses and chronicles addressing the decisions, influence, and historical impact of Mikhail Gorbachev.
Published Chronicles & Analyses
The Romanian Revolution of 1989: The Violent Fall of Ceausescu
The only violent revolution in the Eastern Bloc: the popular uprising in Timisoara and Bucharest, the flight of Ceausescu, and his execution.
The Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989: The Crackdown on Beijing's Spring
Student-led democracy protests in Beijing, division within the CCP, and Deng Xiaoping's decision to use military force to clear the square.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989: The Collapse of the Iron Curtain
The historic scenes in November 1989 as citizens brought down the wall, marking the symbolic end of communist rule in Eastern Europe.
The INF Treaty of 1987: Eliminating an Entire Class of Nuclear Weapons
The signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in Washington marked a revolutionary moment in arms control, as the first agreement for the actual reduction and destruction of an entire class of existing nuclear weapon systems between the United States and the Soviet Union, fundamentally reshaping the late Cold War geopolitical landscape.
The Chernobyl Disaster of 1986: The Meltdown of the Soviet System
The explosion of Reactor No. 4, the initial government cover-up, and how the tragedy exposed the deep systemic flaws of the Soviet Union.
The Rise of Mikhail Gorbachev in 1985: Launching Glasnost and Perestroika
The election of the youngest General Secretary in Soviet history, his attempts to reform the rigid Soviet system, and the unexpected path to dissolution.
The Assassination Attempt on Ronald Reagan and the Rise of Neoconservatism
How the survived 1981 assassination attempt cemented Ronald Reagan's authority and launched a more aggressive stance against the 'Evil Empire'.
The Death of Tito in 1980: The Beginning of the End for Yugoslavia
The passing of Yugoslavia's lifetime president, the end of the Non-Aligned golden era, and the beginning of the economic and political collapse.
The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan in 1979: Entering the Soviet Vietnam
The entry of Soviet troops to support a communist regime, the US arming of the Mujahideen, and the beginning of a decade-long war.
The 2023 Flight from Nagorno-Karabakh: Dissolution of the Breakaway Republic
A comprehensive historical and geopolitical analysis of Azerbaijan's swift military sweep in September 2023, the collapse of ethnic Armenian defenses, the total departure of over 100,000 refugees to Armenia, and the profound regional and international implications of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic's dissolution.
The Sino-Soviet Border Conflict of 1969: Clashes on the Ussuri River
The peak of Sino-Soviet tensions: an armed border conflict on Zhenbao Island that almost led to a full-scale war between the two nuclear giants.
The Rise of Vladimir Putin: The 1999 New Year's Eve Transfer of Power
A comprehensive analysis of Boris Yeltsin's surprise resignation on December 31, 1999, and the pivotal transfer of acting presidential power to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, examining its deep historical context, geopolitical implications, and enduring legacy.
First Eastern Enlargement of NATO 1999: Advancing Toward Russian Borders
The admission of Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic into NATO, reshaping European security and drawing strong objections from Moscow.
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Soviet Tanks in Budapest
A popular uprising against Soviet control, the attempt to establish a multi-party democracy, and the brutal military response of the Red Army.
The Warsaw Pact of 1955: The Soviet Military Response to the West
The creation of the Eastern Bloc military alliance in response to the remilitarization of West Germany and its entry into NATO.
The Death of Stalin and the Khrushchev Thaw in the Soviet Union
The end of Joseph Stalin's iron rule, the elimination of Beria, and the start of the de-Stalinization process under Nikita Khrushchev.
The Dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991: End of the Red Empire
The August coup attempt by hardliners in Moscow, the rise of Boris Yeltsin, the Belovezha Accords, and the lowering of the Soviet flag on Christmas Day.
The Gulf War 1990: Saddam's Invasion of Kuwait and the Global Response
How the rapid invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 triggered an unprecedented international coalition and set the stage for Operation Desert Storm.
German Reunification in 1990: Rebirth of an European Giant
The political and diplomatic negotiations under the Two Plus Four Agreement that enabled the integration of East Germany into the FRG.