As the 20th Century was remarkably shaped by the making and breakdown of socialism, the decisive role of M. Gorbatchev is set out and paid due tribute to him. In the absence of adequate statistical evidence proper,the article resorts to geopolitical argumentation and categorization in winners and loosers. As these geopolitical considerations are too broad, emphasis is placed on the few issues arsing from the M. Gorbatchev policies, the benefit to the West and NATO plus the future role of Turkey in particular while stressing the need for regional cooperation in order to reap many benefits which did and do come from the changed global framework. 

As the 20th Century was remarkably shaped by the making and breakdown of socialism, the decisive role of M. Gorbatchev is set out and paid due tribute to him. In the absence of adequate statistical evidence proper, the article resorts to geopolitical argumentation and categorization in winners and loosers. As these geopolitical considerations are too broad, emphasis is placed on the few issues arsing from the M. Gorbatchev policies, the benefit to the West and NATO plus the future role of Turkey in particular while stressing the need for regional cooperation in order to reap many benefits which did and do come from the changed global framework.