We face austerity, privatisation, and toxic influence. But we are growing, and cannot be beaten
The Soviet collapse: entirely unnecessary and utterly disastrous
Three decades on from the demise of the USSR, it is clearer than ever that capitalism cannot solve the problems faced by humanity, says CARLOS MARTINEZ

THIRTY years ago, on August 24 1991, president Mikhail Gorbachev dissolved the central committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) and resigned from his role as general secretary.
This was the first serious administrative step towards the dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
A day later, the Soviet flag outside the Kremlin was replaced with the Russian flag. From that moment, nothing meaningful remained of the Soviet state.
More from this author

CARLOS MARTINEZ condemns Europe’s failure to develop genuine autonomy from US hegemony, as leaders like Starmer and Macron cling to a declining imperial order rather than building good relations with the emerging powers

Chinese socialist planning and action over decades have created the world’s greatest reforestation programme, writes CARLOS MARTINEZ, and now its lessons in fighting desertification and climate change are taking root worldwide

Despite relentless hostility, the People’s Republic of China has lifted millions out of poverty, and become a global leader in innovation and climate action, while pursuing peaceful development in a multipolar world, writes CARLOS MARTINEZ

Brussels is following the US’s lead in slapping punitive duties on China’s electric vehicles, sabotaging Europe’s climate goals and economic interests to appease Biden’s anti-Beijing crusade, writes CARLOS MARTINEZ