Gorbachev became general secretary of the Soviet Union's Communist Party Central Committee in March 1985, the highest post in the nation and party hierarchy. Through a series of economic and democratic reforms, known as "perestroika" and "glasnost," he helped transform the Soviet Union and its society. Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 for his efforts to help end the Cold War and loosen Soviet control of Eastern Europe.

Gorbachev is president of the International Non-Governmental Foundation for Socio-Economic and Political Studies, also known as the Gorbachev Foundation. Its main mission is to provide in-depth analysis of the evolving social, economic and political situation in Russia and in the world.