The Rest Is Classified 83. The Man Who Saved The World: Countdown to Armageddon (Ep 4)
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Sep 16, 2025 In 1983, the world teeters on the brink of nuclear war as tensions escalate with Operation Able Archer. Oleg Gordievski, a double agent, plays a crucial role in defusing the situation and preventing catastrophe. The discussion dives into the significance of human intelligence, revealing how personal conversations with informants can outsmart traditional methods. Insights into the paranoia within Soviet ranks and the intelligence rivalry among nations illuminate the spy's impact on global politics. The emotional toll on spies balancing secrecy and family life adds a poignant layer to this gripping narrative.
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Reagan Rhetoric Fueled Soviet Paranoia
- The Reagan era rhetoric and Star Wars program stoked deep Soviet paranoia about a US first strike.
- Gordievsky later said revealing Soviet leaders' paranoia to Britain was one of his most vital contributions to safety.
Operation Rian Created False Positives
- Operation Rian was a massive Soviet effort to spot signs of a Western first strike using bureaucratic checklists.
- The checklist approach increased false positives and amplified Kremlin paranoia instead of giving clear warning.
Able Archer Raised Risk Of Misread Moves
- Able Archer 1983 looked routine to NATO but alarming to Moscow and nearly triggered reciprocal alerts.
- Gordievsky's reporting exposed how easily exercise-related moves could be misread as preparation for war.
