“The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.” (William Shakespeare) Mikhail Gorbachev’s passing away on 30th August has compelled observers around the world to assess his place in history. For three decades, he has cut a tragic figure, ignored and vilified, mocked and sneered at by his own people and country. The reality is far more complex, and can be appreciated only if one has an understanding of the state of the Soviet Union when Gorbachev assumed power in March 1985.

Ashley Tellis’s book – ‘Striking Asymmetries- Nuclear Transitions in South Asia’ has caught some media attention with commentators calling for a review of India’s nuclear doctrine and posture in view of an assessed build up of nuclear arsenals by both China and Pakistan. The report argues that India has shown remarkable self restraint despite Pakistan steadily building up warheads that exceed India’s numbers as on date. Similarly, China is expected to ramp up its nuclear arsenal sharply to deter the US as it emerges as a strategic competitor to the superpower.