Cold War Conversations

During the 1970s and 1980s, Arthur Grace travelled extensively behind the Iron Curtain, working primarily for news magazines. One of only a small corps of Western photographers with ongoing access, he was able to delve into the most ordinary corners of people's daily lives, while also covering significant events. His remarkable book Communism(s) A Cold War Album is effectively psychological portraits that leave the viewer with a sense of the gamut of emotions in that era.Illustrated with over 120 black-and-white images-nearly all previously unpublished- Communism(s) gives an unprecedented glimpse behind the veil of a not-so-distant time filled with harsh realities unseen by nearly all but those that lived through it. Shot in the USSR, Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia and the German Democratic Republic, here are portraits of factory workers, farmers, churchgoers, holidaymakers and loitering teens juxtaposed with Social Realist-designed apartment blocks, annual May Day Parades, Poland's Solidarity movement (and the subsequent imposition of martial law) and the vastness of Moscow's Red Square.Buy the book here https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9788862087674Cold War history is disappearing; however, a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll get a sought after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews here. It really helps us get new guests on the show.0:00 Introduction to Cold War Conversations and Arthur Grace2:37 Sponsor: Cold War Conversations merchandise and donations5:31 Arthur Grace's experiences in Romania15:45 Encounters and photo opportunities in East Germany21:23 Anti-government memorials and Solidarity movement in Poland33:39 The art and challenges of photojournalism during the Cold War40:42 Transition and transformation in Poland between 1982 and 198946:16 Reflections on Cold War assignments and favorite photographs48:45 Anecdotes from Moscow, Warsaw and the Gobi Desert58:11 Arthur's bookTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.More episode info here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode232/Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated.Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zsolt Akos Pall was 17 when he decided to flee Cold War Romania for a better life in the West. It’s a heart-warming story of the generosity of strangers. Young Zsolt finds compassionate border guards, gets lost in Vienna and has incredible luck wherever he turns as he negotiates the iron curtain as well as many other international borders to reach his brother in Sweden However, his escape is bittersweet as we hear of his emotional farewell to his parents, not knowing if he’d ever see them again.Cold War history is disappearing; however a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll get a sought after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show.There’s further information here.  https://coldwarconversations.com/episode231/If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.0:00 Introduction and Zolt Acos Powell's decision to flee Cold War Romania7:52 Zolt's parents' reaction and his journey to the Hungarian border16:00 Zolt's escape and experiences at the Hungarian border station24:01 Zolt's journey to Vienna and his first day there36:10 Zolt's journey from Vienna to Germany and his encounters along the way48:06 Zolt's attempt to cross the border, arrival in Germany and journey to Stuttgart53:02 Zolt's first impression of Hamburg1:04:01 Zolt's arrival in Sweden and reuniting with his brother1:07:38 The repercussions faced by Zolt's parents and their arrival in Sweden1:10:44 Conclusion, mention of financial supporters and the Cold War Conversations storeTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zsolt Akos Pall was born in a small town in the Hungarian speaking part of Romania. For ordinary people, life in Romania in the 1980s was very hard and it could be even worse if you were a part of the Hungarian Szekler minority since the Communist government persecuted the Hungarian minority. They even made them change their Hungarian names into Romanian. Zsolt's brother was renamed Istvan to Stefan. However, Zsolt was baptised Zsolt, since there was no Romanian equivalent to it.Zsolt describes the shortages, his schooling and many other stories of life in Romania during this period.We end the episode with Zsolt’s plans to escape to Sweden. Don’t miss Part 2!Cold War history is disappearing; however, a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll get a sought after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show.I am delighted to welcome Zsolt Akos Pall to our Cold War conversation…There’s further information here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode230/If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations on Facebook.0:00 Introduction and early life in Romania2:36 Life under communism and experience of the Hungarian minority in Romania15:56 Impact of shortages on daily life and industry18:47 School life, propaganda, and societal structure under the regime27:02 Cold War hobbies: Young pioneer experience and photography32:59 Brother's journey out of Romania and Western influences38:35 Zsolt's escape attempt and first love41:12 Life goals in Hungary, brother's journey to Sweden, and pivotal decision44:27 Closing remarks, acknowledgments, and sponsor mentionsTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The year 1983 was one of the most dangerous in human history. While the Cuban crisis was exceptionally dangerous and both the United States and the Soviet Union had significant nuclear arsenals in 1962, a war in 1983 would have likely ended the human race.Brian Morra was Chief of Intelligence Analysis for US Forces Japan at Yakota airbase when on 1st September 1983 an unarmed Korean airliner was shot down by a Soviet fighter causing the deaths of 269 people. He describes the less well known subsequent incidents between Soviet and US military aircraft which almost resulted in a shooting war between the two superpowers.During this period the Soviet leadership believed the US was going to launch a nuclear attack on their country. Their paranoia was heightened by several incidents during 1983 which are dramatized in Brian’s new novel “The Able Archers”, which is based on his experiences during that period.UK listeners buy the Able Archers book hereUS listeners buy the Able Archers book hereRobert M. Gates, former CIA Director and Secretary of Defence describes “The Able Archers” as “a powerful reminder of the value of human judgment—and the continuing peril posed by nuclear-armed powers.”I could really use your support to continue the podcast. A simple monthly donation will get you the sought after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/I am delighted to welcome Brian Morra to our Cold War conversation… Brian's Web site https://brianjmorra.com/There’s further information on this episode in our show notes which can also be found as a link in your podcast app here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode229If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations on Facebook or click here https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/0:00 Introduction and background of Brian Morra7:12 The 1983 incident involving U.S. Navy aircraft over Soviet territory17:12 Discussion on the shooting down of the Korean airliner KAL 00730:03 The hostile incident against the US intelligence collection aircraft41:44 Discussion on Stanislav Petrov, the man who saved the world56:14 Leonard Peroot's personality and professional skills and role in defusing the Able Archer 83 crisis1:04:58 Reflection on the book's portrayal of the 3 major flashpoints of 19831:11:39 Recollections of decision-making during the Cold War1:19:33 Acknowledgement of patrons and how to become a patron1:21:03 Final goodbyeTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In June 1934, Kim Philby met his Soviet handler, the spy Arnold Deutsch. Kim Philby was a British intelligence officer and a double agent for the Soviet Union. In 1963 he was revealed to be a member of the Cambridge Five, a spy ring that had divulged British secrets to the Soviets during World War II and in the early stages of the Cold War.The woman who introduced Philby to Deutsch was Edith Tudor-Hart and her story has never been told.Edith Tudor Hart changed the course of 20th-century history. Then she was written out of it.I speak with Charlotte Philby, granddaughter of Kim Philby. Charlotte has written "Edith and Kim" which draws on the Secret Intelligence Files on Edith Tudor Hart, along with the private archive letters of Kim Philby. This finely worked, evocative and beautifully tense novel tells, for the first time, the story of the woman behind the Third Man.We also hear from Charlotte what it was like having Kim Philby as her grandfather, including details of visits to see him in Moscow during the Cold War. It’s a fascinating insight into one of the most notorious spies of the Cold War. Now, this podcast relies on your support to enable me to continue to capture these incredible stories and make them available to you.If you’d like to continue to hear the podcast and help preserve Cold War history, you can support me via one off or monthly donations.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ for more details. If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show.I am delighted to welcome Charlotte Philby to our Cold War conversation…Book giveaway details further information here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode228/If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.0:00 Introduction and reflections on Kim Philby's legacy1:03 Discussion on Kim Philby and his Soviet handler, Arnold Deutsch4:21 Exploration of Edith Tudor-Hart's life and her connection to Kim Philby15:27 Edith Tudor-Hart's involvement in left wing politics and the rise of fascism18:28 Gender inequalities during the Cold War22:31 The significance of Edith's portrait in Kim's study31:43 Charlotte's memories of Kim Philby35:15 The impact of Kim Philby's legacy on Charlotte's career57:55 Edith's life as depicted through her photos1:02:19 Comparing Edith and Kim Philby's experiences in concealing their beliefsTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Maura McCormick was posted to Berlin as a Signals Intelligence voice interceptor (Russian). Her workplace was the Teufelsberg U.S. listening station, aka Field Station Berlin.Maura shares her early impressions of Berlin and working at the Tberg. She talks about her impressions of the infamous James Hall, a United States Army warrant officer and signals intelligence analyst who sold eavesdropping and code secrets to East Germany and the Soviet Union from 1983 to 1988.Maura also recounts a close call with Hüseyin Yıldırım, a Turkish-American auto mechanic who was a Stasi courier for the espionage activities of James Hall.Maura often visited East Berlin where she tells of an unusually close encounter with a chimney sweep that almost resulted in an international incident.In West Berlin, Maura became the first woman to graduate from French Commando school. The commandant had a nightly call to Paris to confirm that she had survived the day's training…Now if you think there is a vast army of research assistants, audio engineers and producers putting together this podcast you’d be wrong. This podcast relies on your support to enable me to continue to capture these incredible stories and make them available to everyone for free. If you’d like to help to preserve Cold War history and enable me to continue to produce this podcast you can via one-off or monthly donations.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ for more details. Do join our Facebook discussion group where the cold war conversation continues between episodes. Just search Cold War Conversations on Facebook.0:00 Introduction and Maura McCormick's role in the Cold War2:35 Interview with Maura McCormick begins5:56 Maura's first posting in Berlin and impressions of West Berlin16:21 Maura's interaction with Stasi spies James Hall and Hüseyin Yıldırım24:52 Maura's acclimatization trip to East Germany and encounters36:04 Maura's experiences in East Berlin and close encounter with East German leader44:13 Maura's interactions with East Germans48:40 How Maura ended up in French Commando school and her training experiences1:00:53 Exploring Berlin through books and films1:07:25 Accidental crossing of the border and reflections on Berlin1:13:15 First impressions of the Berlin Wall and questioning the depth of the Cold War victory1:14:28 Acknowledgement of the podcast's patrons and invitation to join the Facebook group1:15:19 Closing remarks and promotion of the podcast storeTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨More info and videos related to this episode here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode227/Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Liz Kohn has been researching Alice Glasnerová, who was imprisoned as part of the early Cold War Czechoslovak show trials known as the Slansky trials. These were among the most notorious show trials of the 20th century, with the prosecution and sentencing to death of Rudolf Slánský, general secretary of the Czechoslovak Communist party, and 10 other defendants, who had been arrested in a brutal purge ordered by Stalin.Alice Glasnerová was Liz’s father’s first wife. When Liz started researching Alice’s life she had never seen a picture of her and had never read a word she had written. All I knew was that she had been married to her father and had been a member of the communist party. Liz has pieced together a tragic story of a couple although deeply in love, who were separated by the difference in their political views which ultimately resulted in pain, disillusion and betrayal.Now if you think there is a vast army of research assistants, audio engineers and producers putting together this podcast you’d be wrong. This podcast relies on your support to enable me to continue to capture these incredible stories and make them available to everyone for free. If you’d like to help to preserve Cold War history and enable me to continue to produce this podcast you can via one-off or monthly donations.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ for more details. If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show.0:00 Introduction to Liz Kohn and her research on Alice Glasnerova6:17 Alice Glasnerova's political journey and experiences in the Soviet Union14:58 Alice's experiences in Spain and the aftermath17:13 Alice's journey to America and the impact of Anti-Semitism20:02 Alice's return to Czechoslovakia and involvement in the war27:21 The communist takeover in Czechoslovakia and its impact on Alice's life31:04 Alice's arrest and her involvement with Noel Field43:38 The notorious Slansky trial and its outcomes49:21 Helena's trial, imprisonment, and post-release struggles1:00:52 Future plans for the story of Alice and Helena1:01:59 Closing remarks, appreciation for patrons, and invitation to join the Facebook groupTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨ You can read more about Liz’s research on her blog https://lookingforalice.com/There are further videos, photos and information on this episode here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode226/Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1978, Ieva Lesinska was a university student in Soviet Latvia with dreams of becoming a writer. She had just spent a heady month in New York visiting her father, Imants Lesinskis, a Soviet translator working at the United Nations. However, he was an employee of the KGB and a member of the Communist Party. During her trip to the US, Ieva’s father informed her that he and his wife Rasma were about to defect. He offered her a blunt choice: take a taxi to the Soviet Embassy and denounce him as a traitor, or stay with him and never see her mother or her homeland of Latvia again. She chose to stay.The new family officially became East German immigrants with new identities: Peter and Linda Dorn, and their daughter Evelyn. They were citizens of nowhere who possessed re-entry permits but no passports. In 1985, soon after Mr Lesinskis publicly disclosed confidential items on various KGB operations in Latvia, he died under mysterious circumstances.Watch the film about Ieva story here: UK https://amzn.to/3In12Ra US https://amzn.to/3xRZsBX This podcast relies on listener support to enable me to continue to capture these incredible stories and make them available for free. You can support my work and help to preserve Cold War history via one-off or monthly donationsJust go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ for more details.Do join our Facebook discussion group where the cold war conversation continues between episodes. Just search Cold War Conversations on Facebook.I am delighted to welcome Ieva Lesinska to our Cold War conversation…There’s further information here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode225/0:00 Introduction and story of Ieva Lesinska's parents as sleeper agents2:26 Ieva Lesinska on her childhood and family history in Soviet Latvia17:03 Revelation of Ieva's father's KGB affiliation and defection plans23:02 Ieva Lesinska's journey to the United States and her decision to stay39:13 Ieva Lesinska's adjustment to new life and identity in the US50:13 Ieva's academic journey in the US, from Ohio State University to University of Colorado57:42 Maintaining contact with her mother and dealing with homesickness1:00:39 Ieva's father's mysterious death and his double life as a CIA and KGB agent1:08:17 Reunion with her mother and her life after liberation in Latvia1:14:04 Her story being adapted into a film and rejection of the victim narrative1:17:41 Ieva Lesinska's current life as a journalist and translator1:19:13 Acknowledging and thanking patronsTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (BNTVA) is the Charity for UK Nuclear Veterans and last year they very kindly invited me to the annual conference. I met many veterans including Peter Lambourne and this is his story.Peter joined the Royal Navy aged 15. He describes those early days including serving on HMS Wizard during the Cod War with Iceland in 1961.In 1962 Peter was then posted to HMS Resolution which was the codename for the nuclear bomb testing base on Christmas Island. Peter’s base was less than 20 miles away from where hydrogen bombs were being detonated and he shares his experiences of those detonations.Many servicemen and islanders who were present at Christmas Island from 1957 to 1962 later reported severe health problems, which they attributed to the nuclear bomb tests – from cancers to organ failure. Whilst Peter’s health has appeared unaffected, his children and grandchildren have suffered from cancers. In 2023 the UK finally awarded a medal to the nuclear test veterans.Now if you think there is a vast army of research assistants, audio engineers and producers putting together this podcast you’d be wrong. This podcast relies on your support to enable me to continue to capture these incredible stories and make them available to everyone for free. If you’d like to help to preserve Cold War history and enable me to continue to produce this podcast you can via one off or monthly donations.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ for more details.Do join our Facebook discussion group where the cold war conversation continues between episodes. Just search Cold War Conversations on Facebook.0:00 Introduction and Peter Lambourne's background1:06 Peter's posting to HMS Resolution and nuclear bomb testing on Christmas Island2:29 Call for podcast support and donations3:33 Peter's experience in the Cod War with Iceland and posting to Christmas Island12:10 Witnessing hydrogen bomb detonations on Christmas Island17:06 The terrifying contingency plans and impracticality of their landing crafts21:01 Lack of protective clothing and radiation tracking24:33 Recreational activities and dynamics of the Navy group on Christmas Island29:47 The mystery of the "big black line" in Peter's service record and the classified nature of the mission34:05 The health effects of radiation exposure and the government's avoidance of liability38:09 Reflections on Christmas Island as part of Peter's naval career42:57 Closing remarks and thanks to patronsTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨The British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (BNTVA) is the Charity for UK Nuclear Veterans https://www.bntva.com/There’s further information including videos and photos on this episode here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode224Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye.Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1982 the East German Ministry for State Security is hunting for creative new weapons in the war against the class enemy – and their solution is stranger than fiction. Rather than guns, tanks, or bombs, the Stasi develop a programme to fight capitalism through rhyme and verse, winning the culture war through poetry – and the result is the most bizarre book club in history.I speak with Philip Oltermann the author of The Stasi Poetry Circle. Philip has used unseen archival material and exclusive interviews with surviving members to tell the incredible hidden story of a unique experiment: weaponising poetry for politics. Now if you think there is a vast army of research assistants, audio engineers and producers putting together this podcast you’d be wrong. This podcast relies on your support to enable me to continue to capture these incredible stories and make them available to everyone for free. If you’d like to help to preserve Cold War history and enable me to continue to produce this podcast you can via one off or monthly donations.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ for more details. Do join our facebook discussion group where the cold war conversation continues between episodes. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook.I am delighted to welcome Philip Oltermann to our Cold War conversation…Book giveaway and further information here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode223/0:00 Introduction with Philip Oltermann6:09 Discussion on GDR's policies towards arts and culture13:22 The Stasi's involvement with writing circles and their shift in approach21:01 Role of poetry and culture as a weapon in the Cold War28:37 The story of Annegret Gollin and Stasi's fear of subversive literature34:57 Stasi's recruitment process and the impact on Annegret Gollin.39:03 Introduction to Alexander Ruika, a talented poet and spy44:27 Discussion on the fear of nuclear war in the 1980s49:39 Introduction to Uwe Berger, the teacher of the Stasi poetry circle57:43 The decline of the GDR and impact on the writing circle1:02:13 Book giveaway announcement1:03:12 Acknowledgement of the podcast's patrons and promotion of the Facebook group1:06:03 Closing remarks and promotion of the podcast's storeTable of contents powered by PodcastAI✨Radio GDRIf you are interested in East Germany we can highly recommend our friends over at Radio GDR.Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices