In the annals of history, few leaders have faced the monumental challenges that Mikhail Gorbachev encountered when he rose to power in the Soviet Union in 1985.

His ascent came at a time when the nation was grappling with stagnation, disillusionment, and an economy on the brink of collapse. Gorbachev, the youngest General Secretary in Soviet history, was thrust into a leadership role that demanded not only a vision for reform but also the courage to confront an entrenched bureaucracy resistant to change.

In a new format I explore the life of Mikhail Gorbachev without a guest.

Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode406/



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 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/]



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00:00:00 Introduction

0:01:10 The Man from Stavropol

0:06:35 Acceleration and the Mirage of Momentum

0:13:15 The Opening to the West

0:20:26 Opening the Gates

0:28:08 Signing Away the Missiles

0:34:37 Nations within a Nation

0:40:36 The Centre Cannot Hold

0:46:51 The Coup that Failed

0:58:00 The Weight of Legacy





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Gorbachev - The Man Who Ended An Empire (406)

Simon Wood served in the British Army’s Royal Military Police in Berlin during the1980s. He describes the unique challenges he faced patrolling the Berlin Wall and policing British troops in the divided city.

Discover the political tensions, the camaraderie with fellow soldiers, and the surreal moments such as being present at the post-mortem of Hitler’s deputy Rudolf Hess.

We also hear about life at Checkpoints Charlie and Bravo, interactions with East German forces, and taking part in Flag Tours in East Berlin which resulted in various confrontations with Soviet troops.

Episode extras ⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/episode405/⁠⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/episode405/]



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 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/]



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Policing the Berlin Wall with the Royal Military Police (405)

Colonel Robert J. Graham, USAF (Ret.), was more than a fighter pilot—he was a leader, a warrior, and a witness to one of the most complex conflicts in modern history. From the chaotic early days of guerrilla warfare in Vietnam to the bureaucratic maze that engulfed the later years, Colonel Graham's four combat tours reveal the triumphs and tragedies of a war that reshaped his world and his nation.

Buy Col Graham’s book here ⁠"One of the Few: A True Account of Courage and Stepping into the Fight" and support the podcast. [https://amzn.to/3F3skPP]

With vivid detail, he takes you into the cockpit of supersonic jets, the gritty realities of jungle warfare, and the tense moments of life-or-death decision-making. From earning the prestigious Silver Star to commanding the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron through the final stages of U.S. involvement, Graham's stories balance fearless heroism with unflinching honesty.



Feel the adrenaline of battle. Experience the camaraderie of brothers-in-arms. Witness the sacrifices—and the cost—of duty. Through his eyes, discover not just the war, but the humanity within it.



Buy Col Graham’s book here ⁠"One of the Few: A True Account of Courage and Stepping into the Fight" and support the podcast. [https://amzn.to/3F3skPP]

Episode extras ⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/episode404/⁠⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/episode404/]



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 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/]



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"The aircraft exploded and the cockpit filled with fire" - Korean skies to the brutal Vietnam War (404)

Traian grew up in Romania during the tumultuous 1980s under the shadow of the communist regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu.

We learn about the harsh realities of life under communism, where shortages of basic goods were commonplace. He shares the clever tactics he and his family employed to navigate these challenges, including trading items with tourists and listening to forbidden radio stations like Radio Free Europe for music and news. These experiences shaped his understanding of the world outside Romania, igniting a desire for freedom and change.

The narrative takes a dramatic turn as the Romanian revolution unfolds in December 1989. Traian recounts the fear and uncertainty that gripped the nation as protests erupted, leading to the eventual overthrow of Ceaușescu. He vividly describes his school trip during this pivotal moment and the surreal experience of returning home to a city forever changed by the events of those days.

Further info and videos⁠ https://coldwarconversations.com/episode403/⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/episode403/]



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 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/]



 * Follow us on BlueSky ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social⁠⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social]
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Childhood Memories of the 1989 Romanian Revolution (403)

In this gripping episode, we hear a detailed account from an eyewitness right at the heart of the tense NATO and Russian confrontation in Kosovo in 1999 at Pristina Airport.

NATO General Wesley Clark had ordered the British to use force to remove Russian forces, however British General Mike Jackson refused with the immortal words “Sir, I’m not going to start World War Three for you”.

Former BRIXMIS officer Stephen Harrison was a British Army liaison officer to the Russians and the translator at the complex and fraught negotiations at the airport. He provides a blow-by-blow account from the detailed notes he took at the time.

Further info and videos https://coldwarconversations.com/episode402/

Stephen's previous episodes:

 * Arrested 11 times, plus 3 shooting incidents - a BRIXMIS officer's diary Pt 1 https://pod.fo/e/13af96
 * Imprisoned in a Soviet Military gaol - a BRIXMIS officer's diary Pt 2 https://pod.fo/e/13ca90



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 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/]



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“Sir, I’m not going to start World War Three for you” - The NATO Russian confrontation in 1999 at Pristina Airport (402)

This is a repeat of an episode published in September 2022.

55 years ago last month Fred Haise was one of the three astronauts on the ill-fated Moon mission when a design fault caused an oxygen tank to explode mid-mission putting the Apollo 13 crew in mortal danger on April 13th, 1970. This was the seventh crewed mission in the Apollo space program and the third meant to land on the Moon.

Buy Fred’s book here “Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey” [https://amzn.to/3S9FmvO] and support the podcast.

Now as you can imagine I’m genuinely excited to be speaking with one of the Apollo astronauts. Fred and I talk about his life and his almost accidental entry into flying. We cover his admission into the astronaut programme, the family impact, and as you can imagine go into some detail about his experiences on the Apollo 13 mission.

Many of you will know of this mission via the Film “Apollo 13” starring Tom Hanks, and Fred shares his views on the film and corrects some of the inaccuracies.

Episode extras ⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/episode401/⁠ [https://coldwarconversations.com/episode397/]



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 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/]



 * Follow us on BlueSky ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social]
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“Houston, we’ve had a problem” interview with Fred Haise, Apollo 13 astronaut (401)

This episode covers themes of physical and emotional abuse as well as suicide. If you need support please follow the links below.



 * UK https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
 * Rest of the World  https://findahelpline.com/i/iasp





Kerstin recounts her harrowing childhood and life experiences in East Germany. She was identified at a young age for elite sports training, which led to intense gymnastics regimens, physical and emotional abuse, and state-sponsored doping.



When she was dismissed from the sports program without warning she was left isolated and struggling with identity loss.



Her personal life deteriorated further after her father’s death, and she turned to alcohol and self-destructive behaviour.



Despite enduring severe trauma, Kerstin ultimately found healing and reconciliation with her past. She received state compensation for the doping-related damage to her health, repaired her relationship with her mother, and now shares her story to ensure the dark realities of the East German regime are not forgotten.



Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode400/



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 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/



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 * Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod



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Doped, Abused and Abandoned: Growing Up in East Germany’s Sports System (400)

Chris Gueffroy, was the last person to be shot dead at the Berlin Wall and a new short film called https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090963345595&sk=about“Whispers of Freedom” [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090963345595] portrays his story.



I speak with the film’s director Brandon Ashplant who shares the challenges of accurately portraying real individuals with deep personal histories.



Actors Cameron Ashplant (Chris) and Wendy Makkena (Karin) reflect on research they undertook to authentically represent life in East Germany.



The discussion also touches on the emotional impact of visiting key locations including Chris’s grave and the site of his death, and the delicate process of obtaining consent from his family to tell this story.



Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode399/



Where can I see the film?



There’s been various updates since we recorded. The trailer has been released and is available on the Golden Goat Films Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090963345595] and Instagram pages (@goldengoatfilms) [https://www.instagram.com/goldengoatfilms/]. The World Premier is at the Sunderland Shorts Film Festival [https://sunderlandshorts.co.uk/ssff2025/friday-16th-may-2025/] at 18:00 on Friday 16th May at the Omniplex, Sunderland [https://sunderlandshorts.co.uk/ssff2025/friday-16th-may-2025/]. Cast and crew in attendance. So if you are in the area, do join them.



The  Canadian premiere is in September at Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF) [https://www.tinff.net/] - which makes the film Canadian Screen Award Qualifying, opening up its route to the Academy Awards (if we’re lucky enough!)



The Guernsey premier is on September 12th and the Berlin premiere is on October 2nd at the DDR Museum [https://www.ddr-museum.de/en]. The film will thereafter live at the museum, available for international tourists to watch on an ongoing basis.



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 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/



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 * Love history? Join Intohistory 

Whispers of Freedom: Portraying the Story of the last person shot at the Berlin Wall (399) 

Former US Navy Commander Henry Rausch is the author of Submerged: Life on a Fast Attack Submarine in the Last Days of the Cold War.



Henry shares his experiences from training to life aboard a submarine, emphasising the challenges, mishaps, and the camaraderie among the crew. He provides vivid descriptions of the rigorous training, the psychological demands, and the technical operations of submarines, including navigating under ice and surfacing manoeuvres.



Henry also discusses the toll his career took on his personal life and his eventual transition to the reserves as the Cold War wound down. His story is enriched with unique anecdotes, culminating in a detailed account of a gas leak incident.



He also gives a nod to the mentorship and collaboration with officers from allied navies, particularly highlighting his respect for a UK submarine officer.



All our submarine stories https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QQHCaEdQB2hAfcaQAxFyn?si=9a7e61ff56624594



Enter the book giveaway here https://coldwarconversations.com/giveaway/



Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode398/ [https://coldwarconversations.com/episode397/]



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 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/



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 * Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod



Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

 Submerged: Life on a Fast Attack Submarine in the Last Days of the Cold War (398)

In 2010, two decades after the Cold War had ended, ten Russian spies were arrested in America, having hidden their true identities from their friends, neighbours and even their children.



They were part of a spy programme that had begun nearly a century earlier, when the revolutionary Bolshevik government began sending Soviet citizens abroad to pose as foreign aristocrats, merchants and students.



These deep-cover missions - some remarkable feats of espionage, others high-profile failures - could last for decades.



Drawing on hundreds of hours of interviews, as well as newly discovered archival material, Shaun Walker brings this history to life in The Illegals: Russia's Most Audacious Spies and the Plot to Infiltrate the West [https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781788167772], a page-turning tour de force that goes to the heart of what became the most ambitious espionage programme in history.



Book giveaway https://coldwarconversations.com/giveaway1/



Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode397/



Related episodes

 * Portland Spy Ring Part 1 https://pod.fo/e/292bd
 * Portland Spy Ring Part 2 https://pod.fo/e/4471e
 * The Bridge of Spies spy https://pod.fo/e/15f244
 * Discovering your husband is a KGB spy https://pod.fo/e/17a1c4
 * I was a deep cover KGB spy Part 1 https://pod.fo/e/9c88f
 * I was a deep cover KGB spy Part 2 https://pod.fo/e/9e0a6





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 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/



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 * Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod



Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Deep Cover Cold War Spies: How Russia’s Illegal Agents Penetrated the West (397)

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

Shows