and their class schedules, but they re having a hard time. lehrer: ruth marcus and michael gerson analyze the week s news. brown: and we close with a look back at an extraordinary moment in history, 20 years ago today, that led to the end of the soviet union. lehrer: that s all ahead on tonight s newshour. major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: moving our economy for 160 years. bnsf, the engine that connects us. well, the best companies are driven by new ideas. our future depends on new ideas. we spend billions on advanced technologies. it s all about investing in the future. we can find new energy more cleaner, safer and smarter. collaborating with the best in the field. chevron works with the smartest people at leading universities and tech companies. and yet, it s really basic. it s paying off every day. and by the alfred p. sloan foundation. supporting science, technology, and improved economic performance and financial