March 11, 2025, marked forty years since Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union. Chosen by the Politburo after the death of Konstantin Chernenko, Gorbachev changed the course of Soviet—and world—history. Praised for helping end the Cold War, he left behind a divisive legacy, which will probably be assessed and reassessed many times in the years to come.
Learn more about Mikhail Gorbachev from the infographic below and explore the Kennan Institute’s Gorbachev Retrospective.
Kennan Institute
The Kennan Institute is the premier US center for advanced research on Eurasia and the oldest and largest regional program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The Kennan Institute is committed to improving American understanding of Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the surrounding region through research and exchange. Read more
