The last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev died on August 30 at 91. Here is a piece I wrote about him last year on his 90th birthday. Depending on individual ideological preferences, one can accuse Mikhail Gorbachev of million things or thank him a million times. He “gave the people freedom” but “destroyed the Union”. He released Sakharov from exile but introduced prohibition. He received the Nobel Peace Prize. Still, life in his country did not become more peaceful.