Sergey Radchenko

Sergey Radchenko, author of "To Run the World: The Kremlin’s Bid for Global Power," explores the motivations and absurdities of Soviet and Chinese leaders in their pursuit of global prestige. He delves into Stalin's colonial ambitions, Khrushchev's economic failures, and the complex Sino-Soviet relations shaped by Cold War dynamics. The discussion offers intriguing anecdotes, including humorous interactions between leaders and insights into the historical significance of legitimacy in international politics. Radchenko’s perspective reshapes our understanding of past and present global power struggles.

In this engaging discussion, Sergey Radchenko, a professor at Johns Hopkins and author of "To Run the World," analyzes Soviet motivations during the Cold War. He dives into how the USSR sought global recognition over ideology, using newly declassified documents to reshape our understanding of the era. The conversation also explores Stalin's quest for legitimacy and the complexities of Cold War détente, highlighting the stark contrasts between past and present attitudes towards nuclear weapons and the economic lessons for China from the Soviet experience.

Discover the Kremlin's Cold War strategies, insights into Soviet leaders' mindsets, and historical anecdotes like Stalin's permission for the Korean invasion. Uncover untold stories from newly discovered documents and the impact of individual leaders on global events.

Historian Sergey Radchenko, a distinguished professor at Johns Hopkins, explores Soviet foreign policy and its modern implications. He shares insights from his book on the Kremlin's Cold War strategies. The discussion reveals how the quest for international prestige shaped Soviet actions and continues to impact Russia's global stance today. Radchenko delves into the evolving Sino-Soviet relationship, highlighting its historical complexities and relevance to current events like the Ukraine invasion. This rich conversation connects past and present in international relations.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Sergey Radchenko, a prominent expert on Cold War history, dives into the tumultuous Sino-Soviet rivalry. He explores Khrushchev's ousting and Brezhnev's rise, revealing how Vietnam shaped their relations. Radchenko also discusses the surprising Sino-American rapprochement during Nixon's era and the implications of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. He draws parallels between past and present leadership ambitions, ultimately reflecting on how these historical dynamics inform current U.S. strategies towards China and Russia.