On this week’s episode of Unclear and Present Danger, Jamelle and John talk the 1990 John Le Carré adaptation “The Russia House,” starring Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer. They discuss the social base for intelligence work during the Cold War, the period of glasnost and perestroika in the Soviet Union, the politics of nostalgia and the film’s excellent wardrobe. You can rent “The Russia House” on iTunes or on Amazon.

Also, you might notice that we have a new logo. That is courtesy of the great Rachel Eck! You can find her on Instagram.

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John Ganz

Jamelle Bouie

Links from the episode!

The New York Times for December 25, 1990

Wikipedia article for glasnost and perestroika

John D. Skrentny’s “The Minority Rights Revolution” on the impact of the Cold War on liberal reforms in the United States.

Battling Adversity with Pat Downey