| Much has been written about Mikhail Gorbachev's unwitting role in prompting the collapse of the Soviet empire. His push for reforms ultimately exposed the corruption and atrophy of a system that had no way to reinvent itself. For Henry Olsen, of all the forces unleashed by the demise of the U.S.S.R., it is nationalism that continues to shape the world today — channeling aspirations for self-determination, but also disrupting the established order. "Once the totalitarian boot of communism was lifted, people reverted to their nationalist instincts. Woodrow Wilson's old principle of self-determination, that every nation of people deserved its own state, became once more the organizing principle throughout the old Soviet empire," Olsen writes. "Resurgent nationalism is Gorbachev's real legacy for the modern world." As he is quick to point out, this resurgence has produced rewards and serious downsides — and now nationalistic sentiments are roiling politics in Western Europe and the United States, and stoking resentments and suspicions among other nations. Indeed, history, far from ending, found a new truculent path.  (Boris Yurchenko/AP) The Soviet leader, who died this week, sped the U.S.S.R.'s demise — and nationalism's rise. By Henry Olsen ● Read more » | | | | Most Americans agree there should be limits on abortion, and GOP candidates need to respond to critics with strength. By Marjorie Dannenfelser ● Read more » | | | | Donald Trump and his post-truth pioneers have expanded the frontiers of fakery this week. By Dana Milbank ● Read more » | | | | We trivialize at our peril what such pieces of paper can mean for keeping our nation safe. They aren't Post-it notes. By Glenn S. Gerstell ● Read more » | | | Not only can Ukraine survive, it can regain some of its occupied land. By David Ignatius ● Read more » | | | | A lingering legacy of Vietnam, partly perpetrated by Halberstam's memorably titled book, is a comfortable, self-congratulatory populism. By George F. Will ● Read more » | | | | With Trump loyalists defending the indefensible, Biden goes on the attack. By E.J. Dionne Jr. ● Read more » | | | | MAGA Republicans don't have an exclusive claim to Americanness. By Max Boot ● Read more » | | | | We shouldn't be helping American investors to put money into risky Chinese companies By Josh Rogin ● Read more » | | | One poll shows that a striking 71 percent of Americans say they have a favorable view of unions. Democrats should capitalize on this. By Paul Waldman and Greg Sargent ● Read more » | | | | Where there's no electoral competition and White Republicans rule, maintaining basic infrastructure for Black residents is optional. By Paul Waldman ● Read more » | | | | The impact of Tennessee's cruel and dangerous abortion ban is already evident. By Jennifer Rubin ● Read more » | | | | Abortion politics have changed markedly in the past few months, particularly for those candidates facing voters in November. By Norman Leahy ● Read more » | | | |
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