Arkady Gorbajoff: For people who believe in freedom, gorbitov is a hero. To those who want russia to be an empire and base their power on the hatred of others, he is an enemy,. He says his generation felt very grateful for what he has done. The period of his reforms were probably the best period in Russia's history.
The leader who oversaw the Soviet Union’s collapse had only intended to reform it. But the propaganda and repression he abhorred were what held it together. A speed bump lies ahead for electric vehicles: manufacturing and mining capacity may not keep up with battery demand. And visiting a vast landscape sculpture in Nevada’s desert ahead of this week’s public opening.
For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer