Gorbachev and Yeltsin were pretty similar in their political evolution: both rose from down to the top of the Communist Party, both led regional party organizations(Gorbachev Stavropol Region, Yeltsin Sverdlovsk Oblast), both were moderate communists and both managed to raise to the leadership of the country, whatever it's size or name.
This raises thebquestion for me: what if they were reversed: Yeltsin becomes the last General Secretary of the CPSU and handles Perestroika and Gorbachev is the first President of Russia. How would Yeltsin handle the end of the Cold War? How would Gorbachev handle the post-Cold War Russia and will he groom someone like Putin to succede him?
This raises thebquestion for me: what if they were reversed: Yeltsin becomes the last General Secretary of the CPSU and handles Perestroika and Gorbachev is the first President of Russia. How would Yeltsin handle the end of the Cold War? How would Gorbachev handle the post-Cold War Russia and will he groom someone like Putin to succede him?