Experience the Cold War like never before with Cold War Conversations — an award-winning podcast recommended by The New York Times.
Each week, host Ian Sanders brings you raw, firsthand accounts from the people who lived through one of history’s most tense and transformative eras — soldiers, spies, civilians, and more.
These aren’t stories from textbooks. They’re unfiltered voices from the frontlines of history — emotional, gripping, and deeply human.
This is Cold War history, told from the inside out.
We cover subjects such as spies, spying, the Iron Curtain, nuclear weapons, warfare, tanks, jet aircraft, fighters, bombers, transport aircraft, aviation, culture, and politics.
We also cover personalities such as Fidel Castro, JFK, Ronald Reagan, Nikita Khrushchev, Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov, Mikhail Gorbachev, Konstantin Chernenko, Margaret Thatcher, John F. Kennedy, Josef Stalin, Richard Nixon, Lech Walesa, General Jaruzelski, Nicolae Ceaușescu.
Other subjects include Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Romania, Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin, West Berlin, East Berlin, Cuban missile Crisis, Berlin Airlift, Bay of Pigs, SALT, Perestroika, Space Race, superpower, USSR, Soviet Union, DDR, GDR, East Germany, SDI, Vietnam War, Korean War, Solidarność, Fall of the Wall, Berliner Mauer, Trabant, Communist, Capitalist, Able Archer, KGB, Stasi, STB, SB, Securitate, CIA, NSA, MI5, MI6, Berlin Wall, escape, defection, Cuba, Albania, football, sport, Bulgaria, Soviet Union, Poland, China, Taiwan, Austria, West Germany, Solidarity, espionage, HUMINT, SIGINT, OSINT, IMINT, GEOINT, RAF, USAF, British Army, US Army, Red Army, Soviet Army, Afghanistan, NVA, East German Army, KAL007, T-72, T-64, Chieftain, M60
The podcast is for military veterans, school teachers, university lecturers, students and those interested in Cold War history, museums, bunkers, weapons, AFVs, wargamers, planes, A Level, GCSE students studying Superpower Relations and the Cold War.
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Today is Veterans Day in the US and Armistice Day in the UK and to commemorate I’ve gone back into the archive to remember and share vivid testimony from Korean War veteran Tommy Clough who sadly passed away a couple of weeks ago. The Korean War was among the most destructive conflicts of the modern era, and one of the few times when the Cold War turned hot. There were approximately 3 million war fatalities and a larger proportional civilian death toll than World War II or the Vietnam War. Tommy...
Today is the 35th anniversary of the Berlin Wall and East German border opening in the autumn of 1989. In this riveting episode, I speak with Dietmar Schultke, a member of the Grenztruppen, the East German Border Guards and delve into the life of those responsible for preventing escapes over the Berlin Wall and the East German Border. Dietmar opens up about his life in the GDR, sharing personal stories of his recruitment into the border troops, the rigorous training he endured, and the psycholog...
This episode is brought to you by the Avro Heritage Museum at Woodford near Manchester where I am a volunteer. Trevor Jackson is also one of the volunteers, but unlike me he’s a former Vulcan pilot who shares with me his extraordinary career. From his early days with the Royal Air Force Cadet Force to flying iconic aircraft like the BAC Jet Provost, Folland Gnat , Vulcan, Gannett, and Canberra, Trevor provides fascinating insights into the life of a military aviator. Discover the challenges and ...
As Tom Williams fought the enemy, every day, without fail, he would record the day’s events in his diary. It is these diaries (which Tom has to this day), that enable him to tell the story of Vietnam in the late sixties/early seventies, like it really was. I talk with Tom about his book “Doorsteps of Hell” where he offers an honest, unembellished account of a new officer in the US Marines - fighting and surviving in the mud-sucking rice paddies and leech-infested jungles of Vietnam. In my conver...
In the late 1960s European club football competitions were thriving However unexpected events in 1968 threatened its survival. I delve into the fascinating world of European football during the Cold War era with Craig McCracken, a self-described peddler and purveyor of quasi obscure retro football nostalgia via the 'Beyond The Last Man' blog. We explore the political tensions that influenced European football in the 1960s, and the dramatic events of 1968 when the Prague Spring was crushed by Sov...
Flying at high speed and low level, RCAF pilot Allen French was at the sharp end of potential nuclear bombing missions during the Cold War. Born at the dawn of the baby boomer era, Allen delves into his early inspirations, his father's service in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the pivotal moments that led him to join the Air Force. From training on the Canadair CT-114 Tutor to flying the iconic F-86 Sabre and CF-104 Starfighter, Allen shares firsthand accounts of Cold War tensions, nuclear de...
In the sleepy suburb of Ruislip in London during the late 1950s, life was anything but exciting for Gay Search, a 15-year-old girl. Little did she know, her mundane existence was about to be shattered by a shocking revelation that would turn her world upside down. This is the gripping tale of suburban espionage, the story begins with the seemingly ordinary Kroger family—Helen and Peter—who live just a stone's throw away from Gay. However, beneath their friendly facade lay a dark secret. The Krog...
In this gripping episode of Cold War Conversations, we hear the remarkable first-hand account of John Brooker, an Australian veteran who takes us on a journey from the streets of Sydney to the battlefields of Vietnam. John shares his experiences from joining the Citizens Military Force (CMF) to his deployment with the Royal New South Wales Lancers and the regular army. He provides vivid details of the Tet Offensive of 1968, the intense firefights, and the harrowing experience of being mortared f...
It's 40 years since the film Threads was shown on British TV. It portrayed the effects of a nuclear attack on the city of Sheffield, England and the eventual long-term effects of nuclear war on civilization. It therefore seems apt to publish a tour I had of the Hack Green Regional Seat of Government Bunker museum. Nestled in the heart of Cheshire, Hack Green Nuclear Bunker is a hidden gem that offers a fascinating glimpse into the Cold War era. I had the pleasure of exploring this historical sit...
On April 30, 1980, six heavily armed gunmen burst into the Iranian embassy on Princes Gate, overlooking Hyde Park in London. There they took 26 hostages, including embassy staff, visitors, and three British citizens. I talk with Britain’s bestselling historian Ben Macintyre who has written a new book called “The Siege: The Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama”. The book details the tense six-day siege ensued as millions gathered around screens across the country to witness the long...
Chris is a former member of the Yorkshire Volunteers, part of Cold War Britain’s Territorial reserve Army. This episode is a treasure trove of personal anecdotes, historical insights, and reflections on military life, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in military history and the Cold War era. Chris’s journey into the military began with his interest in military subjects and history. He joined the Army Cadet Force before university and later, the Officer Training Corps at Sheffield Un...
Juli begins by recounting her early years in East Berlin, a time marked by the tragic loss of her father. Drafted into the army just days before her birth, her father continually deserted to see his family, ultimately leading to his untimely death. This early loss left Juli and her mother to navigate a harsh landscape in East Germany alone. Life in East Berlin was a world of contrasts. Juli describes the indoctrination she experienced in school, where lessons were steeped in socialist propaganda...
BRIXMIS and its operations behind enemy lines continue to fascinate the listeners of Cold War Conversations. In August 2024 I was honoured to be invited to the National Army Museum in London to interview Andrew Long, the author of BRIXMIS and the Secret Cold War - Intelligence Collecting Operations Behind Enemy Lines in East Germany. The National Army Museum is a leading authority on the British Army and its impact on society past and present. It’s well worth a visit, particularly their Foe to F...
The Spycatcher affair remains one of the most intriguing moments in the history of British intelligence and a pivotal point in the public's relationship with the murky world of espionage and security. It lifted the lid on alleged Soviet infiltration of British services and revealed a culture of law-breaking, bugging and burgling. But how much do we know about the story behind the scandal? Tim Tate is the author of To Catch a Spy - How the Spycatcher Affair Brought MI5 in from the Cold and in thi...
Jack Downey was the longest-held prisoner of war in American history. He was a CIA officer captured in China during the Korean War and imprisoned for twenty-one years. I speak with Barry Werth the author of Prisoner of Lies - Jack Downey's Cold War. He details Downey’s story when the CIA recruited him as a new Yale graduate in the post-World War II years. In a violation of protocol, Downey took part in an airdrop that failed and was captured over China. US government policy forbade ever acknowle...
Beginning with the death of Stalin in 1953, the “sixties” era in the Soviet Union was just as vibrant and transformative as in the West. The ideological romanticism of the revolutionary years was revived, with a renewed emphasis on egalitarianism, equality, and the building of a communist utopia. Mass terror was reined in, great victories were won in the space race, Stalinist cultural dogmas were challenged, and young people danced to jazz and rock and roll. I speak with Robert Hornsby who has w...
Due to personal circumstances, I’ve been unable to produce a new episode this week, however, you will be aware of the many gems in the back catalogue and I have chosen one of my favourites today which is a rip-roaring story of service in the USAF with Rick Shreve an F111 pilot which I know you will enjoy. Normal service should be resumed next week. Rick Shreve was a US Air Force F 111 pilot based at RAF Lakenheath in the UK. He was trained to carry out nuclear as well as conventional missions ag...
Allan Little recounts his journey from his student days in Edinburgh to working as a journalist the front lines of Cold War history in Eastern Europe and beyond. In 1989 he found himself on the night shift at the BBC’s Today programme in London when the Berlin Wall fell. Witnessing the world change in real time Allan’s desire to be part of these monumental events grew stronger. He shares is his experience as a journalist during the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia. Allan describes the electri...
Thomas Maier an investigative journalist is our guide to the shadowy world of organized crime and espionage where shares insights from his extensive research and writing, including his latest book and drama documentary "Mafia Spies," which explores the unlikely alliance between the CIA and the Mafia in their attempts to assassinate Fidel Castro. We dive into the lives of two central figures in "Mafia Spies": Sam Giancana and Johnny Roselli. Giancana, the head of the Chicago mob in the early 1960...
Bärbel was born in a village near Magdeburg in 1962, She explores her personal and professional life growing up in East Germany. We delve into her family's views on the East German government, her journey to becoming a teacher, and her experiences teaching English. We cover gender roles and the pressures to become a member of the communist party. Also discussed are the ideological and societal differences between East and West Germany, as well as the impact of the Berlin Wall's fall. Bärbel refl...
Cold War RAF pilot Jeremy Lane, shares his gripping experiences, from nuclear bombing missions to a close encounter with a UFO. He was trained to fly the Canberra aircraft on nuclear bombing missions and describes how the American weaponry they would have used required dual control from both the President of the United States and the British Prime Minister. Jeremy also describes the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties where aircraft were always on standby, ready to fly their nuclear missions at a ...
Jeremy Lane’s fascination for aviation was nurtured by countless childhood hours watching aircraft at Staverton Airport and North Weald. He shares his experiences flying the Jet Provost and later, the Canberra. He describes the capabilities of this versatile and iconic aircraft, from high-speed reconnaissance to its nuclear role. The Canberra's design, with its twin jet engines and rudimentary navigation equipment, required high skill and constant attention. The stories of flying at low levels, ...
In this comprehensive narrative, Imre recounts his life from his birth in 1936 in Hungary to his emigration to the West after the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. He discusses the influence of his family’s Hungarian and German heritage, his father’s work in the oil industry, and the impact of World War II and communist rule on his upbringing. The account vividly describes his education, military training, and involvement in the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. He also highlights his subsequent escape to Aus...
In this riveting account, Tilo recounts his experiences as an East German soldier during the final months of East Germany. He details the rising political awareness among soldiers, and his fear that his unit will be asked to shoot on demonstrators also provides a personal perspective on the pivotal moments leading up to and following the fall of the Berlin Wall, including attending massive protests and his first visit to West Berlin. Spurred by a broadcasted precedent of concession to striking s...
This episode is brought to you by the CNN Original Series Secrets & Spies: A Nuclear Game which premieres 2nd June 2024 and is available now on BBC Iplayer). The series tracks the spies operating behind the scenes in the 1980s as the Cold War brings two superpowers to the brink of nuclear war. This razor-sharp series examines the tenuousness of global geopolitics during the Cold War and features my guest Ken Adelman who served as the Director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency f...
Luca Trenta is an associate professor at Swansea University and has recently authored The President's Kill List: Assassination and US Foreign Policy Since 1945. We dig in detail into the contents of the book delving into the history of Cold War CIA operations including instances of electoral interference and assassination. Our conversation explores key historical episodes, including U.S. actions in Italy, Cuba, Chile, and assassinations in the context of the Cold War. Case studies feature notabl...
I’m a big fan of the History Daily podcast, where my good friend Lindsay Graham takes you back in time to explore a momentous moment that happened ‘on this day’ in history. Visit Historydaily.com or search History Daily in your podcast app to learn more. As an introduction to History Daily I have selected two Cold War-themed episodes that I know you will enjoy. The first is the story of the nuclear-powered submarine USS Scorpion which disappeared in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean with 99 men o...
In this fascinating interview, Patrick D. Joyce recounts his unique experience growing up as the son of a U.S. diplomat during the Cold War. Living in the diplomatic community of the Soviet Union, Nicaragua, and Cuba, Patrick shares vivid memories of his father's career as a Soviet and linguistic expert, who rose to become Deputy Ambassador at both the Moscow and Havana US embassies. The discussion touches on the juxtaposition of ordinary family life in various U.S. embassies around the world al...
Warning: This episode does cover the subject of suicide. If you need help please use these links: UK https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ Rest of the World https://findahelpline.com/i/iasp Tilo shares his raw and powerful testimony of a young man conscripted into the East German military at the height of Cold War tensions. He recounts the daunting prospect of being drafted into the border guards, an assignment he was determined to avoid at all costs due to his moral oppo...
David McKay is a former Cold War special forces officer and author of Bubbleheads, SEALs and Wizards: America's Scottish Bastion in the Cold War. His book highlights the Scottish bases' significant role in supporting the US military over three decades. David brings his expertise into play, examining this intriguing story by reaching out to more than one hundred veterans and expert witnesses. Their contributions reveal the personal stories of history, not high-end diplomacy. We also delve into th...
