Rebroadcast: The Bear Came Over the Mountain
Coming in From the Cold: Untold Stories from the Cold War
Release Date: 08/31/2021
J. Edgar Hoover
Coming in From the Cold: Untold Stories from the Cold War
Today, J. Edgar Hoover is remembered as a power-hungry, corrupt and prejudiced man, obsessed with an imagined threat of domestic communists. But during his life, he was widely respected and admired as the man responsible for building the FBI into a premier law enforcement agency. In the final episode of Coming in from the Cold Bill sits down with Beverly Gage, author of “G- Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century,” to discuss the complicated legacy of Hoover. Further Reading G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century: The Documentary: The People...
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Weaponizing the Weather
Coming in From the Cold: Untold Stories from the Cold War
Jim Fleming is the Charles A. Dana Professor of Science, Technology, and Society at Colby College and a research associate at the Smithsonian Institution. He has earned degrees in astronomy (B.S. Penn State University), atmospheric science (M.S. Colorado State University) and history (Ph.D. Princeton University). Professor Jim Fleming's . “”
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The Moscow Signal and Havana Syndrome
Coming in From the Cold: Untold Stories from the Cold War
In 2017, reports of the mysterious “Havana Syndrome” dominated the news. American diplomats around the world reported experiencing a variety of symptoms including hearing a sudden loud noise, pain in one or both ears, feeling of pressure or vibrations in the head, tinnitus, visual problems, vertigo, nausea and cognitive difficulties. There is no consensus among American Intelligence agencies as to the cause of Havana Syndrome, but one theory is that directed microwave weapons could be responsible. While this might sound like science fiction, this story has a Cold War parallel, the Moscow...
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Napalm: The Original Weapon of Mass Destruction
Coming in From the Cold: Untold Stories from the Cold War
The dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is seen by most as the ultimate display of man’s capacity to destroy. While the destructive power of nuclear weapons cannot be denied, there was another weapon used in the Pacific campaign which was responsible for even more civilian death, Napalm. In this episode, Bob Neer, author of “Napalm an American Biography,” joins Bill to discuss the history of Napalm and its complicated role in U.S. Military history. Bob Neer’s Website: “'Napalm Girl': An Iconic Image Of War Turns 40,” NPR, June 3, 2012, “Remembering the...
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Able Archer: The Invisible Cuban Missile Crisis
Coming in From the Cold: Untold Stories from the Cold War
The Cuban Missile Crisis is widely considered to be the closest the world has come to nuclear war. But while that crisis played out in public view, there was another close call that happened in the shadows. In this episode the story of Able Archer 83. is the author of “The Able Archers.” He has spent his career in intelligence and national security beginning with his time as a decorated Air Force Intelligence officer and through his many years as a senior executive in the aerospace and defense industry. served for 20 years as an active-duty U.S. Navy officer, he served on a variety...
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In Review
Coming in From the Cold: Untold Stories from the Cold War
In this episode, we are taking a look back at the series so far and looking ahead to where it's going in the future. John Stimpson is the producer of Coming in From the Cold and a member of CNA’s Office of Communications. served for 20 years as an active-duty U.S. Navy officer, he served on a variety of small and medium surface combatants, including an assignment as the executive officer of a mine countermeasures ship.
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The Rise of the Right
Coming in From the Cold: Untold Stories from the Cold War
From the beginning of the Cold War, a network of U.S. conservatives dreamed of an international anti-communist revolution. Rather than overthrowing communist regimes directly, they instead pinned their hopes on armed groups who could topple communist states from within. In this episode, we explore the ideology of anticommunist internationalism and how it connects to today’s American far-right. is an assistant professor of history at Hartwick College. He is the author of “ Anticommunist Internationalism and Paramilitary Warfare in the Cold War” is the Co-Director of CNA’s ...
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Nixon and Watergate 50 Years Later
Coming in From the Cold: Untold Stories from the Cold War
50 years ago, the Watergate scandal rocked American politics. The break-in and subsequent cover-up by the Nixon administration led to the only presidential resignation in American history and defines political scandal to this day. In this episode of Coming in From the Cold: Michael Dobbs, author of “King Richard: Nixon and Watergate--An American Tragedy,” joins Bill to discuss President Nixon, the Watergate scandal, and its impact 50 years later. Michael Dobbs’ biography:
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Urgent Fury: The 1983 Invasion of Grenada
Coming in From the Cold: Untold Stories from the Cold War
In 1983, the United States along with Caribbean partner nations invaded the island nation of Grenada. The goals of the operation outlined by the Reagan administration were to protect American citizens on the island, forestall further chaos, and restore the rule of law and order on the island of Grenada. While broadly successful in objectives, the operation was criticized by both U.S. and allied officials. In this episode of Coming in From the Cold, Alex Powell and Steve Wills join Bill, to discuss operation Urgent Fury, and its impact on military reform and special operations forces....
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The Chernobyl Meltdown: Past and Present
Coming in From the Cold: Untold Stories from the Cold War
On April 26, 1986, reactor No.4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded, triggering one of the worst man-made disasters in human history. Today, Chernobyl is back in the news as the site of one of the first battles in the Russia-Ukraine War. In this episode of Coming in From the Cold, Steve Wills sits down with Michael Kofman and Mary Chesnut, from CNA’s Russia Studies program. They discuss the impact that the Chernobyl accident had on the Ukrainian people, and the strategic value of the site today. *Listener note: this episode was recorded on March 24, 2022, before reports...
info_outlinePaul Saunders and Alex Powell join Bill to discuss the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, and how world powers continue to make the same mistakes.
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