Lt Col Rob “Z-Man” Zettel is the author of American MiG Pilot - Inside the Top Secret USAF “Red Eagles. He tells the Red Eagles story for the first time through the experiences of a pilot who flew Soviet MiGs to their maximum performance in simulated combat engagements, often several times a day, against some of the very best fighter pilots hand-picked from the ranks of the USAF, US Navy and US Marine Corps.

With controls labelled in Russian and the only spare parts being the ones they could salvage, the pilots who climbed into the MiGs - the Red Eagles - accepted all of the risks associated with operating these aircraft.

Rob’s vivid accounts of training engagements put the reader right in the cockpit as he describes what it was like to be there day in and day out at one of the most access-restricted airfields in the entire USAF, flying MiGs.

In part two of our story, we join him for his first interview for the Red Eagles.

Buy the book here and support the podcast⁠ [https://amzn.to/4rhar2H]

Episode extras here ⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/episode445 ⁠

Go to ⁠https://surfshark.com/coldwardeal⁠ [https://surfshark.com/coldwardeal] or use code COLDWARDEAL at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Help me preserve Cold War history via a simple monthly donation,

You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and receive 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/]

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we also welcome one-off donations via the same link.



Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/store/]



CONTINUE  THE COLD WAR CONVERSATION

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American MiG Pilot: Inside the Top Secret USAF "Red Eagles" MiG Squadron Part 2 (445)

Rob “Z-Man” Zettel is the author of American MiG Pilot - Inside the Top Secret USAF “Red Eagles. [https://amzn.to/4qIxHWn]In part one of a two-part episode, he reveals how he made it into this top-secret US operation that wouldn't feel out of place in 'Top Gun'.

From a high school student with no aviation background, Rob discovered he had a natural aptitude for flying via the USAF Reserve Officer Training Corps. He then joined the USAF, progressing to an Aggressor Squadron where his unit replicated enemy tactics, techniques, and procedures.

Rob shares anecdotes of training, close calls in the air, and the intense journey through pilot training. He provides a vivid account of training engagements that puts you right in the cockpit.

⁠Buy the book here and support the podcast⁠ [https://amzn.to/4rhar2H]

Episode extras here ⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/episode444

Go to https://surfshark.com/coldwardeal or use code COLDWARDEAL at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Help me preserve Cold War history via a simple monthly donation,

You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and receive 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/]

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we also welcome one-off donations via the same link.



Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/store/]



CONTINUE  THE COLD WAR CONVERSATION

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High School Student to the Top Secret USAF Red Eagles  Soviet MIG Squadron Part 1 (444)

I speak with Bruce Berglund, the author of The Moscow Playbook: How Russia Used, Abused, and Transformed Sports in the Hunt for Powe [https://amzn.to/4aumSRE]r, which is a fascinating journey through the world of Soviet sports and its intricate ties to politics as a means of soft power and national pride.

We learn how the Soviets achieved strategic advantage through women's sports, the abuse of amateur status, the controversial topic of doping and how sports science revolutionised the performance of athletes.

Listeners will also hear about the iconic "Miracle on Ice" ice hockey game in 1980, where the U.S. amateur team defeated the seasoned Soviet professionals, and how this event was perceived on both sides of the Cold War divide.

Buy the book here and support the podcast [https://amzn.to/4coYFyu]

Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode443

Go to https://surfshark.com/coldwardeal or use code COLDWARDEAL at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Help me preserve Cold War history via a simple monthly donation,

You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/]

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.



Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/store/]



CONTINUE  THE COLD WAR CONVERSATION

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The Moscow Playbook: How Russia Used, Abused, and Transformed Sports in the Hunt for Power (443)

Susan Miller continues the story of her CIA career, recalling a harrowing experience of the 1991 US embassy fire in Moscow, and the unexpected humanity displayed by a KGB officer who helped save lives during the crisis. Episode one is here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode441/

In Poland, a KGB walk-in claims to have microfiche containing the names of every spy the KGB was running overseas.

And as CIA Chief in Vilnius, Susan is confronted by another KGB walk-in with a box of weapons-grade uranium

Listen to part one here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode441/

Episode extras ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/episode436]⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/episode442/

Help me preserve Cold War history via a simple monthly donation,

You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/]

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.



Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/store/]



CONTINUE  THE COLD WAR CONVERSATION

 * * Follow us on BlueSky ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social]
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Chasing Rogue Nukes after the Fall of the Soviet Union (442)

I explore the remarkable journey of a CIA operations officer who transitioned from a quiet childhood in California to the thrilling world of espionage.

What began as a joke application to the CIA turned into a life-changing opportunity.

The episode delves into her rigorous training, including paramilitary courses that prepared her for the realities of fieldwork and thrilling stories from her time in Moscow during the late 1980s.

Susan also gives tradecraft insights on surveillance techniques and the unique challenges faced by women in intelligence roles during that era.



Episode extras ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/episode436]⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/episode441 [%E2%81%A0https://coldwarconversations.com/episode441%E2%81%A0]⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/episode440]

Help me preserve Cold War history via a simple monthly donation,

You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and 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/⁠⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/]

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.



Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/store/]



CONTINUE  THE COLD WAR CONVERSATION

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Dead Drops and Disguises - A Female CIA Officer in 1980s Moscow (441)

This special episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Imperial War Museum London, in October 2025.

I speak with Colin Ferguson, a veteran from the British Army‘s covert Special Observation Post Troop.



This "stay behind" Special OP Troop consisted of selected soldiers in 6-man patrols whose task was to dig in large underground hides known as "mexe" shelters along the inner German border. They would then allow the main Soviet forces to pass over them before deploying to two smaller observation posts (Ops) where they would engage the enemy with the long-range guns and rockets of the British Army.



We speak in detail about selection, training and deployment. Do check out Colin’s podcast, “The Unconventional Soldier” [https://unconventionalsoldier.uk/], which offers first-hand accounts of past conflicts, military history, book and film reviews, plus guests, dits and digressions.

Episode extras ⁠⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/episode436]⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/episode439]https://coldwarconversations.com/episode440



Help me preserve Cold War history and via a simple monthly donation,

You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and 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/⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/]

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.



Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/store/]



CONTINUE  THE COLD WAR CONVERSATION

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Cold War British Army "stay behinds" - Live at the Imperial War Museum London (440)

What would you risk to escape a totalitarian state—and how long would you be willing to wait?



In this gripping episode, Peter Kasl, author of Escaping the Grip of Eastern European Communism [https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9798999854704], tells the extraordinary true story of his family’s escape from behind the Iron Curtain. Born into a country transformed by repression after the 1968 Prague Spring and the Soviet invasion, Peter grew up in a world of fear, surveillance, and whispered conversations.



He recounts how his uncle’s defection marked the entire family as enemies of the state, triggering interrogations, lost opportunities, and constant pressure to conform. As a child, Peter learned early what could—and could not—be said, even at school.



Over 13 long years, his parents quietly and meticulously planned their escape, knowing that a single mistake could mean prison, separation, or worse. Peter describes the deception, the danger, and the emotional cost of leaving everything behind—family, home, and country—in a desperate bid for freedom.



This is a powerful firsthand account of life under communism, the courage it takes to resist it, and the life-changing journey from oppression to opportunity.



A story of fear, faith, resilience, and the pursuit of freedom—this is Cold War history told by someone who lived it



Episode extras ⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/episode436]https://coldwarconversations.com/episode439





The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and 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/⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/]

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.



Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/store/]



CONTINUE  THE COLD WAR CONVERSATION

 * * Follow us on BlueSky ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social]
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Planning an Escape for 13 Years: How One Family Outsmarted the Iron Curtain (439)

The US invasion of Grenada in 1983 remains a pivotal event in both Caribbean and Cold War history.

President Reagan, fearing the spread of communism in the Caribbean and the safety of US citizens, initiated military action.

US forces launched a swift invasion, aiming to seize control of the island and restore order. However, the operation was fraught with challenges. Intelligence failures, miscommunication, and the chaotic nature of the military operation raised questions about the effectiveness of US planning and coordination.

Internationally, the invasion was met with condemnation. The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution denouncing the intervention as a violation of international law. Critics argued that the US had blurred the lines between humanitarian intervention and regime change, setting a dangerous precedent for future military actions.

As history often shows, the smallest conflicts can have the most profound impacts, shaping policies and perceptions for decades to come. The story of Grenada is not just about a military operation; it serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate interplay between local politics and global power dynamics.



Episode Extras - Maps and videos https://coldwarconversations.com/episode438/



The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and 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/⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/]

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.



Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/store/]



CONTINUE  THE COLD WAR CONVERSATION

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Why did the U.S. invade Grenada in 1983? (438)

In the 1970s, a network of radical extremists terrorised the West with intricately planned plane hijackings and hostage-takings. Among them was the young Leila Khaled with her jewellery made from grenade rings, the hard-drinking Carlos the Jackal in shades and designer suits, and the radical leftists of the Baader-Meinhof Gang.

United by their hatred of Israel, capitalism and ‘Western imperialism’, they unleashed a series of audacious attacks that brought governments to their knees and glued the world to their televisions in morbid fascination.

Drawing on decades of research, recently declassified government files, secret documents, and original interviews with hijackers, spies, witnesses and victims, I speak with Jason Burke, the author of “The Revolutionists - The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s” takes us into the lives and minds of the perpetrators of these often-deadly operations.

Related episodes:

 * Watching the Jackals: Prague’s Covert Liaisons with Cold War Terrorists and Revolutionaries https://coldwarconversations.com/episode382/
 * Terrorism in the Cold War https://coldwarconversations.com/episode205/

Episode extras ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/episode437⁠ [%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0https://coldwarconversations.com/episode437%E2%81%A0]



The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and 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/⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/]

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.



Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/store/]



CONTINUE  THE COLD WAR CONVERSATION



 * Follow us on BlueSky ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social⁠⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social]
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When Terrorism Went Global: Plane Hijackings and Violence in the 1970s (437)

Andrew was a British modern languages student in 1989. He recounts the serendipitous moment when he stumbled upon an advert for a work and holiday trip to the GDR.

The trip was organized by the Great Britain GDR Society, which allowed participants to experience life behind the Iron Curtain. For just £120, students could immerse themselves in a culture that was vastly different from what they knew. The only requirement was to join the society, which piqued the curiosity of our guest, who had previously visited West Germany but had yet to set foot in the East.



As the group engaged in work on a building site, they encountered East German soldiers and workers, sharing stories and forging unexpected friendships. The camaraderie that developed during these moments highlighted the human connections that transcended political boundaries.

Andrew reflects on the peculiarities of the trip, from the shoddy living conditions to the surreal experience of mingling with locals who had their own dreams and aspirations.

Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode436/ [https://coldwarconversations.com/episode436]





The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and 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 monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.



Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/



CONTINUE  THE COLD WAR CONVERSATION

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When East German Soldiers Dreamed of Flying Over the Wall (436)

Award-winning real stories of the Cold War told by those that were there. Every week we interview an eyewitness of the Cold War. Across soldiers, spies, civilians, and others, we aim to cover the whole gamut of the Cold War experience. Hosts Ian Sanders, James Chilcott and Peter Ryan bring your ears into the heart of the Cold War. Reading a history book is one thing, but hearing a human voice, with every breath, hesitation and intonation brings a whole new dimension to understanding what it was like to be there.

Ian Sanders

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