The swift current of events abroad brought along with it many a readjustment in national reputations.
Russia: Damaged what reputation it had by the cruelty of its repressions, disillusioning thousands of Communists in Europe and disabusing millions of non-Communists who thought that Russian rulers might be growing more humane. In passing, destroyed several illusions of dictatorship: that a secret-police state can crush any rebellion; that a younger generation can be educated by force to believe in Communism.
Most importantly, Russia betrayed weaknesses at the core: a realization that none of its 1,500,000 satellite soldiers can be trusted; a revelation that the...