Podcasts about Joseph Stalin

Episode Summary:In this episode of Explaining History, Nick explores the murky relationship between British intelligence, the Labour government, and the "gentleman capitalists" of the post-war era.Why was Harold Wilson, the most electorally successful British Prime Minister of the 20th century, targeted by paranoid elements within MI5 as a potential Soviet spy? We delve into Wilson's time at the Board of Trade in the late 1940s, where he forged controversial deals with the Soviet Union to secure timber for Britain's reconstruction.From the rise of corrupt tycoons like Robert Maxwell (who began as an intelligence officer in occupied Germany) to the class war between the "modernizing" Labour government and the "grouse moor" establishment, this episode uncovers the seeds of the plot to overthrow Wilson in the 1960s. It's a story of Cold War intrigue, antisemitism within the British elite, and the clash between a new technological Britain and the old school tie.Key Topics:The Plot Against Wilson: Why MI5 officers like Peter Wright suspected the PM was a KGB agent.The Timber Deals: How Wilson negotiated with Stalin's deputies to rebuild Britain.Robert Maxwell: The origins of a media mogul in the intelligence world of post-war Berlin.Class Conflict: The "Chapocracy" vs. Wilson's white heat of technology.Books Mentioned:Smear! Wilson and the Secret State by Stephen Dorril and Robin RamsayThinking the Twentieth Century by Tony JudtSpycatcher by Peter WrightExplaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Presa europeană analizează consecințele presiunilor lui Donald Trump la adresa Ucrainei, pentru a accepta un plan de pace dezavantajos. Consecințele ar fi devastatoare – și nu doar pentru Ucraina, cred comentatorii. De asemenea, este analizată și cererea președintelui american, adresată Ucrainei, de organizare a alegerilor pe timp de război. ”Donald Trump a realizat ceea ce Stalin a visat și ceea ce Xi Jinping și Vladimir Putin au plasat în centrul proiectelor lor imperiale: dezintegrarea Occidentului, distrugerea ordinii mondiale din 1945”. Este concluzia sumbră a unei analize propuse de ziarul francez Le Figaro. ”Planul de pace fals al Statelor Unite și negocierile purtate cu Rusia pentru a forța Ucraina să se predea necondiționat, chiar dacă nu a pierdut războiul, urmate de publicarea de către Administrația Trump, pe 4 decembrie, a „Strategiei de Securitate Națională”, un preludiu al unei redistribuiri semnificative a forțelor americane staționate în Europa, marchează mult mai mult decât un punct de cotitură geopolitic; ele reprezintă o ruptură istorică. Ele semnalează sfârșitul Occidentului, care a dominat lumea de la sfârșitul secolului al XV-lea până la începutul secolului al XXI-lea”, mai scrie Le Figaro. În ziarul german Süddeutsche Zeitung, citat de Courrier International, filosoful german Jürgen Habermas consideră că doar continuarea integrării europene va permite Bătrânului Continent să se descurce într-un joc geopolitic în care Statele Unite ale lui Trump alunecă spre autoritarism, Occidentul se fracturează și apar noi puteri. Problema este că această opțiune este mai puțin probabilă ca niciodată, având în vedere renașterea forțelor naționaliste în Europa. ”Statele membre estice ale UE, cele care au aderat mai recent, sunt primele care solicită o consolidare a armamentului european, dar, pe de altă parte, sunt și cele mai puțin dispuse să își limiteze puterile naționale. Prin urmare, inițiativa ar trebui să vină din partea țărilor occidentale, care constituie nucleul UE – chiar dacă acest lucru ar însemna să se lipsească de sprijinul guvernului naționalist al Giorgiei Meloni. În practică, având în vedere slăbiciunea actuală a Franței, inițiativa ar trebui să vină în principal din partea Germaniei, care s-ar putea baza pe proiectul Apărării Europene Comune”, scrie ziarul german. Presa europerană comentează și cererea lui Donald Trump adresată Ucrainei privind organizarea de alegeri. Dar sunt posibile alegeri în timp de război? ”Oamenii nu pot vota din pivnițe și ruine”, crede publicația poloneză Polityka, preluată de Eurotopics. Citeste siZelenski solicită reforme pentru a permite alegeri sub legea marțială „În orașe, acest lucru ar putea fi parțial posibil. Dar există sate care au fost izolate de lume, lăsate fără electricitate sau apă, cu oameni care trăiesc în pivnițe și ruine, concentrați doar pe cum să supraviețuiască încă o zi. Orice observator ar pune la îndoială, pe bună dreptate, astfel de alegeri.” Publicația germană Tagesschau consideră că alegerile pot avea loc doar în timpul unui armistițiu. ”Alegerile nu pot fi democratice sau corecte atâta timp cât  candidații nu pot apărea în public în siguranță, dacă secțiile de votare rămân închise din cauza alertelor de raiduri aeriene. Dacă sute de mii de oameni din tranșee sunt excluși. Un armistițiu - exact asta cere președintele SUA Trump de mult timp. Și Ucraina este dispusă la fel de mult timp, dar Rusia nu. Acum Trump are datoria să convingă Kremlinul.”

Episode Summary:In this episode of Explaining History, Nick delves into the critical years of 1928-1929, exploring the mindset of the Soviet leadership on the eve of the Great Famine. Drawing from Robert Conquest's seminal work The Harvest of Sorrow, we examine how Stalin's paranoia and Marxist-Leninist ideology filtered his understanding of the peasantry.Why did the Bolsheviks view grain reserves as evidence of a "Kulak war" against the state? How did faulty statistics and a fundamental misunderstanding of village life lead to catastrophic policy decisions? We unpack the tragic logic of collectivization—a "second revolution" that was essentially a continuation of the Civil War by other means.Plus: A special announcement for history students studying the Russian Revolution and Stalinism—don't miss details about our upcoming live masterclass in January!Key Topics:The Grain Procurement Crisis: Why grain exports ceased by 1928.The Myth of the Kulak: How hedging against famine was misinterpreted as capitalist speculation.Statistical Failure: How bad data fueled bad policy.The Second Revolution: Stalin's view of collectivization as a class war.Books Mentioned:The Harvest of Sorrow by Robert ConquestEveryday Stalinism by Sheila FitzpatrickFor the complete recordings on AQA Russia Revolution and Dictatorship see the links below: https://explaininghistory.org/2025/02/19/aqa-revolution-and-dictatorship-russia-1917-53-part-15/https://explaininghistory.org/2025/01/29/aqa-revolution-and-dictatorship-russia-1917-53-part-14/https://explaininghistory.org/2025/01/23/aqa-revolution-and-dictatorship-russia-1917-53-part-13/https://explaininghistory.org/2024/12/18/aqa-revolution-and-dictatorship-russia-1917-53-part-12/AQA Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia 1917-53 part 11AQA Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia 1917-53 Part TenAQA Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia 1917-53 part 9AQA Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia 1917-53 part 8AQA Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia 1917-53 part 7AQA Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia 1917-53 part 6https://explaininghistory.org/2024/10/23/aqa-revolution-and-dictatorship-russia-1917-53-part-5/AQA Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia 1917-53 part 4AQA Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia 1917-53 part 3Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

GATEWAY CINEMA is a multi-part series of conversations centered on key ideas in film studies. In these conversations, we interpret and celebrate a set of eclectic feature films from across generations and from around the world, including “La Haine”, “Drum”, “Alien 3 (Assembly Cut)”, “Come and See”, “Perfect Days”, “Sweet Smell of Success”, “The Swimmer”, “Amadeus (Director's Cut)”, “Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia”, “Friday”, “Marie Antoinette”, “The Night of the Hunter”, “Crank” and “Crank 2: High Voltage”, “Portrait of a Lady Fire”, “The Fabulous Baron Munchausen”, “Joker: Folie à Deux”, “Welcome to the Dollhouse”, “Heathers”, and “The Death of Stalin”.***Referenced media in GATEWAY CINEMA, Episode 19:“Wicked: For Good” (Jon M. Chu, 2025)“Dumb and Dumber” (Peter Farrelly, 1994)“Monty Python's Flying Circus” (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam, 1969-1974)“Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Patridge” (Steve Coogan, Armando Iannucci, and Patrick Marber, 1994-1995)“I'm Alan Patridge” (Peter Baynham, Steven Coogan, and Armando Iannucci, 1997-2002)“The Thick of It” (Armando Iannucci, 2005-2012)“In the Loop” (Armando Iannucci, 2009)“Veep” (Armando Iannucci, 2012-2019)“Star Trek Generations” (David Carson, 1994)“Black Widow” (Cate Shortland, 2021)“Dr. Zhivago” (David Lean, 1965)“Nineteen Eight-Four” (1949) by George Orwell“Annihilation” (Alex Garland, 2018)“Black Panther” (Ryan Coogler, 2018)“A Quiet Place” (John Krasinski, 2018)“Avengers: Infinity War” (Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, 2018)“The Lost Patrol” (John Ford, 1934)“Syriana” (Stephen Gaghan, 2005)Audio quotation in GATEWAY CINEMA, Episode 19:“Star Trek Generations” (David Carson, 1994), including the song “Star Trek Generations Overture” by Dennis McCarthy, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBdmVGGaJEE&list=RDFBdmVGGaJEE&start_radio=1“The Death of Stalin” (Armando Iannucci, 2017), including the songs “Moscow, 1953”, “Special Delivery”, “Politburo”, “A Comedy of Terrors (End Titles)”, and “End Credits” by Christopher Willis, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2gbFqcZhpb3kOAAT1Qyp_4rlt4hwbUiT 

In this multi-part series, we've focused on just one movie to explore a key idea in film studies. But this one choice means we've left out multitudes. Here is the larger set of also-rans we wrestled with before finally choosing “The Death of Stalin”.***Referenced media in GATEWAY CINEMA, Episode 19A:“The Running Man” (Paul Michael Glaser, 1987)“The Jerky Boys: The Movie” (James Melkonian, 1995)“The Manitou” (William Girdler, 1978)“Star Trek” (Gene Roddenberry, 1966-1969)“Rumble in the Bronx” (Stanley Tong, 1995)“Police Story” (Jackie Chan, 1985)“Drunken Master” (Yuen Woo-ping, 1978)“The Room” (Tommy Wiseau, 2003)“House of Wax” (Jaume Collet-Serra, 2005)“House of Wax” (Andre de Toth, 1953)“The Man Who Would Be King” (John Huston, 1975)“Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” (Quentin Tarantino, 2019)“Kill Bill, vol. 1” (Quentin Tarantino, 2003)“Inglourious Basterds” (Quentin Tarantino, 2009)“The Wicker Man” (Robin Hardy, 1973)“The Equalizer” (Michael Sloan and Richard Linkheim, 1985-1989)“Cloud Atlas” (Tom Tykwer and the Wachowskis, 2012)“The Ladykillers” (Joel and Ethan Coen, 2004)“Bulworth” (Warren Beatty, 1998)Audio quotation in GATEWAY CINEMA, Episode 19A:“Vintage Movie Projector | Sound Effect | Feel The Past Film Industry” by n Beats, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhUICp5XeJ4“Film Clapperboard Green Screen Effect With Sound” by Jacob Anderson, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1sEiCa-yic“Slide projector changing with clicks” by (Soundsnap), https://www.soundsnap.com/tags/slide_projector?page=2“Where No Man Has Gone Before” (1966) by Alexander Courage, shared by Paul Hill, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaY8XFbq-Hg&list=RDZaY8XFbq-Hg&start_radio=1“Prelude: The Atlas March” (2012) by Tom Tykwer, Reinhold Heil, and Johnny Klimek, shared by Gall Anonim, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsR1TWq-eGPwlHk6CDmdqVAci6xbd9nu5 

Aprovechando el lanzamiento del libro Barbarroja 1941, la guerra absoluta, he aprovechado un episodio, el relacionado con el Pacto Ribbentrop-Molotov, posiblemente una bola de partido que propició más si cabe lo que pocos días después se convertiría en la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Dos grandes potencias se cubrirían, cada una con sus propios motivos, la Alemania de Hitler y la URSS de Stalin, recursos, defensas, áreas de influencia, territorios y mucho más. Gracias a libro Barbarroja 1941, extraemos algunos textos y situaciones como la posibilidad de haber pactado Alemania con Polonia contra la URSS, los intentos británicos y franceses para que los soviéticos pudieran atravesar territorio polaco contra Alemania y mucho mucho más Musica intro: Fallen Soldier,licencia gratuita, de Biz Baz Estudio Licencia Creative Commons Fuentes: Barbarroja 1941 La guerra Absoluta, de Jean López y Lasha Otkhmezuri Audios y música: Música relacionada y fragmentos de noticiario. Productora: Vega Gónzalez Director /Colaborador: Sergio Murata Nuestras listas China en guerra https://go.ivoox.com/bk/11072909 Guerra de Ucrania (Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10954944 337 Días en Baler, los últimos de Filipinas (Serie) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10896373 Checoslovaquia el arsenal de Hitler (Miniserie) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10989586 Episodios de Guadalcanal ( Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10996267 Sudan las guerras del Mahdi (Serie) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10991351 Con Rommel en el Desierto (Serie) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10991349 Chechenia las guerras del lobo (Serie) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10989674 Cine e Historia (Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10991110 Guerra Biológica ( Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10989690 Guerra francoprusiana de 1870-1871 (Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10987884 Guerra de Secesión norteamericana 1861-1865 (Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10958205 David contra Goliat, Fusiles anticarro (Miniserie) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10958221 Beutepanzer, blindados capturados y usados por Alemania (Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10956491 Japón bajo las bombas (Serie) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10914802 Erich Topp, el Diablo Rojo (Serie) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10935056 Motos en la Segunda Guerra Mundial (Serie) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10896149 Propaganda en la Segunda Guerra Mundial (Serie) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10886167 Memorias de nuestros veteranos (Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10723177 Vietnam, episodios de una guerra (Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10753747 Hombres K, los comandos de la Kriegsmarine (Serie) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10715879 Mercur 1941, la batalla de Creta (Serie) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/10497539 Guerra de Ifni Sahara (Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/9990031 Armas de Autarquía ( Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/9990017 La Guerra del 98 (Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/5029543 Italia en la Segunda Guerra Mundial (Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/6190737 Mujeres en Tiempo de Guerra (Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/7826153 Blindados españoles (Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/7824815 Ejércitos y Soldados (Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/7825841 Batallas y conflictos (Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/7825969 Armas de infantería (Episodios) https://go.ivoox.com/bk/7824907 Espero que os guste y os animo a suscribiros, dar likes, y compartir en redes sociales y a seguirnos por facebook y/o twitter. Recordad que esta disponible la opción de Suscriptor Fan , donde podréis acceder a programas en exclusiva. Podéis opinar a través de ivoox, en twitter @Niebladeguerra1 y ver el material adicional a través de facebook https://www.facebook.com/sergio.murata.77 o por mail a niebladeguerraprograma@hotmail.com Telegram Si quieres acceder a él sigue este enlace https://t.me/niebladeguerra Además tenemos un grupo de conversación, donde otros compañeros, podcaster ,colaboradores y yo, tratamos temas diversos de historia, algún pequeño juego y lo que sea, siempre que sea serio y sin ofensas ni bobadas. Si te interesa entrar , a través del canal de Niebla de Guerra en Telegram, podrás acceder al grupo. También podrás a través de este enlace (O eso creo ) https://t.me/joinchat/Jw1FyBNQPOZtEKjgkh8vXg NUEVO CANAL DE YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaUjlWkD8GPoq7HnuQGzxfw/featured?view_as=subscriber BLOGS AMIGOS https://www.davidlopezcabia.es/ con el escritor de novela bélica David López Cabia https://www.eurasia1945.com/ Del escritor e historiador, Rubén Villamor Algunos podcast amigos LA BIBLIOTECA DE LA HISTORIA https://www.ivoox.com/biblioteca-de-la-historia_sq_f1566125_1 https://blog.sandglasspatrol.com/ blo Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

Dr. Jerome Corsi takes a deep historical dive into Walter Duranty, the New York Times reporter who was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for reporting that was later exposed as propaganda for one of the most brutal regimes in human history. This is an encore presentation.Duranty served not as a journalist, but as Josef Stalin's public relations agent, producing glowing, fictionalized accounts of life inside the Soviet Union while deliberately concealing the truth about mass repression, political terror, and the Holodomor — the engineered starvation that killed millions of Ukrainians.Dr. Corsi exposes:

In 1949, American critic Lionel Trilling, writing in the New Yorker, was quick to recognize the achievement of George Orwell's new novel. "[P]rofound, terrifying, and wholly fascinating," he said. 1984 "confirms its author in the special, honorable place he holds in our intellectual life." And while the Cold War and the book's primary satirical targets - Stalin and his totalitarian regime - may have faded from view, the rise of technology and our current geopolitics mean that many of 1984's warnings are more relevant than ever. In this episode, Jacke takes a look at George Orwell's classic dystopian novel, which was ranked #6 on the list of the Greatest Books of All Time. Join Jacke on a trip through literary England! Join Jacke and fellow literature fans on an eight-day journey through literary England in partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠John Shors Travel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in May 2026! Scheduled stops include The Charles Dickens Museum, Dr. Johnson's house, Jane Austen's Bath, Tolkien's Oxford, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, and more. Learn more by emailing jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com or masahiko@johnshorstravel.com, or by contacting us through our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofliterature.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Mid-December update: Act soon - there are only two spots left! The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠gabrielruizbernal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Help support the show at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/literature ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofliterature.com/donate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Fuentes says we need "order before liberty," admires Stalin, and wants a government strongman to re-industrialize America. We break down why that worldview is dangerous and why the housing crisis is NOT a free market failure. In this episode of Good Morning Liberty, Nate and Chuck dive into: Why 2025 home prices feel insane (and what's actually changed since the 1950s) How building codes, zoning, the Fed, and regulations drive prices up Nick Fuentes' claim that liberty isn't the highest political virtue His "Stalin admirer" comments and calls for tariffs, subsidies, and a strongman Why empires, industrial policy, and libertarianism don't mix

In 1988 begonnen de granaten op Agdam te vallen. Het slapende stadje aan de rand van Nagorno-Karabach werd plots een strategische uitvalsbasis in een bloedige oorlog tussen Azerbeidzjan en Armenië. De regio Nagorno-Karabach, historisch bewoond door Armeniërs maar, sinds Stalin, juridisch onderdeel van Azerbeidzjan werd het strijdtoneel van een conflict dat tussen 1988 en 1994 25.000 tot 35.000 levens zou eisen. Tijdens een thuiswedstrijd tegen FK Insaatci in 1992 begonnen de Armeniërs het gebied rond het stadion te beschieten. De spelers van Insaatci gingen meteen tegen de grond. De Qarabag-spelers, gehard door de aanhoudende bombardementen, speelden simpelweg door. Het verhaal van de tegenstander van Ajax van vanavond is een bijzondere.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Summary:In the second part of our exploration into the Stalin-Tito split, Nick delves into the dramatic climax of 1948: the expulsion of Yugoslavia from the Cominform.Stalin famously boasted, "I will shake my little finger, and there will be no more Tito." But as history shows, he couldn't have been more wrong. We examine how Tito's audacious foreign policy—from supporting Greek communists to proposing a Balkan Federation—terrified Moscow. We also look at the brutal internal purges that followed, as "Titoism" became the new "Trotskyism," a label used to hunt down heretics across the Eastern Bloc.From spy scandals to the grim reality of the Goli Otok prison camp, this episode reveals the high stakes of defying the Kremlin.Plus: Stay tuned for more details on our upcoming live masterclass on Stalinist Russia for A-Level students!Key Topics:The Bled Agreement: Tito's plan for a Balkan Federation.The Cominform Expulsion: How Stalin tried (and failed) to crush Yugoslav independence.Titoism as Heresy: The purges of "Titoist" elements across Eastern Europe.Goli Otok: The brutal camp where pro-Soviet communists were imprisoned.Books Mentioned:Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century – And After by R.J. CramptonKGB: The Inside Story by Christopher Andrew and Oleg Gordievsky (referenced contextually)Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Halifax at the Berghof and Soviet Paranoia: Colleague Charles Spicer explains that by late 1937, the Anglo-German Fellowship was infiltrated by spies including Soviet mole Kim Philby, fueling Stalin's fear of an Anglo-German alliance; the narrative focuses on Lord Halifax's visit to the Berghof, where he famously mistook Hitler for a footman, and despite witnessing Hitler's brutal rants about India, Halifax returned to London believing Hitler did not desire war, a misjudgment Spicer attributes to Hitler's ability to fool the "religious" Halifax, underscoring the dangerous disconnect between British diplomatic expectations and Hitler's aggressive reality. 1933

The Tennant Mission and the Failure of Alliances: Colleague Charles Spicer recounts that in the summer of 1939, Ernest Tennant undertook a final secret mission to Ribbentrop's Austrian castle, confirming that Hitler intended to attack Poland and wage a long war; while London believed this intelligence and pursued a pact with Poland, Chamberlain's deep antipathy toward the Soviets delayed an alliance with Stalin, and Soviet spies leaked these diplomatic moves to Germany, accelerating the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, emphasizing that despite accurate intelligence from the amateur spies, British leadership failed to exploit opportunities. 1938

Idi Amin is 20th-century Africa's most notorious ruler – a cartoonish tyrant who has been bracketed with the likes of Hitler and Stalin. And it's true that, as Uganda's dictator for most of the 1970s, he oversaw murderous repression as well as the forced expulsion of the nation's Asian community. But why did so many ordinary Ugandans willingly serve the regime and help to maintain his power? That's a question at the heart of a new book by the historian Derek R Peterson, and in this episode he shares his conclusions with Rob Attar.  (Ad) Derek R Peterson is the author of A Popular History of Idi Amin's Uganda (Yale University Press, 2025). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Popular-History-Idi-Amins-Uganda/dp/0300278381/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=AUTHOR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7asZBQQWAZKsuHp8ZQ6vEJACr_TDgPYF6VppcpEALLBwzrnat70DnfBdLe23Fq1NjYcpJVsmX_qpCT4hW1xageeVMJB9yDQdZNRtwQmsf_s7mKADzEet_olde5WsCvbHySmwMG5ChnSUyfhQ42ZjCg.zqMhWkSai2mwT7Qlw7rU5NTGyU_7y7n8vg53f6wnbfQ&tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode Summary:In this episode of Explaining History, Nick explores one of the most critical schisms in Cold War history: the rupture between Joseph Stalin and Josip Broz Tito. While the Sino-Soviet split often grabs the headlines, the breakdown in relations between the USSR and Yugoslavia in 1948 was the first major crack in the monolithic facade of international communism.We delve into why Tito, a leader who seized power largely without the help of the Red Army, posed such a unique threat to Stalin's worldview. From the economic exploitation of Yugoslav resources to the cultural arrogance of Soviet officials (who charged exorbitant fees for mediocre propaganda films while questioning Yugoslav culture), we uncover the petty grievances and deep ideological rifts that led to Yugoslavia's expulsion from the Cominform.Plus: Stick around until the end for an exclusive announcement about an upcoming live masterclass on Stalinist Russia for students!Key Topics:The Roots of the Split: Why Tito's independence terrified Stalin.Economic Imperialism: How the USSR tried to exploit Yugoslavia's resources.Cultural Dominance: The clash between Soviet arrogance and Yugoslav pride.The Assassination Plot: How Stalin planned to kill the "heretic" Tito.Books Mentioned:Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century – And After by R.J. CramptonFor the full story visit us at Explaining HistoryExplaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Views on America and Marxist Dogma: Colleague Geoffrey Roberts explains that Stalin admired American production and the Constitution, viewing the U.S. as a progressive capitalist state; however, Stalin remained a Marxist dogmatist who edited texts to fit his ideology, with Roberts ultimately characterizing Stalin as an intellectual whose worldview was limited by his fanatical commitment to Bolshevism. 1934

7 HoursPG-13Back in the beginning of 2021, as Pete was transitioning out of libertarianism, he and Bird got together to do a series on the Four Swords of Marxism: Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Abimael Guzman, and added in post-Marxist, Hans-Hermann Hoppe.Here is the complete audio.Timeline Earth PodcastPete and Thomas777 'At the Movies'Support Pete on His WebsitePete's PatreonPete's SubstackPete's SubscribestarPete's GUMROADPete's VenmoPete's Buy Me a CoffeePete on FacebookPete on Twitter

durée : 00:58:50 - Les Grandes Traversées - par : Marie Chartron - Staline parvient à incarner le parti puis la patrie soviétique. Après-guerre, son culte renforcé par la victoire prend des formes stupéfiantes, sur fond de répressions sans cesse renouvelées. - réalisation : Diphy Mariani

GiveSendGo: https://www.givesendgo.com/GEUB9 Live show 8PM EST: https://odysee.com/@PNNAmerica:a/PNNAmericaStreamNov:7 PNN America official simplex.chat room: https://files.catbox.moe/bhos77.png PNN America Odysee channel: https://odysee.com/@PNNAmerica:a PNN Texas Odysee channel: https://odysee.com/@Diogenes:2/PNNTexas:d Reddit alternative: https://soj.ooo/ Help by supporting the show: cash.app/PNNAmerica Bitcoin: bc1q775yrp0az9e88yp3nzg0a5p7nzgex0m7e8xcdk Dogecoin: DS1Fp4wmQ1jdbYj4cqi3MJNWmzYe6tt9w4 Monero: 8BaVtQCDnQhY1Wc3twwx2NCPumhTTVCweZRQT2X7V3D9gfEUCWt6U79izJp2qiDYx3cAjPjQFEWxFbKyLoTTWSRzGC27Tdk MY Website! (Book included): pnnamerica.com

Rediscovering the Scattered Library: Colleague Geoffrey Roberts explains that after 1956, Stalin's library was dispersed, leaving only about 5,500 identifiable books, some containing his pometki or markings; while Yuri Sharapov revealed the library in 1988, no "smoking gun" explains Stalin, with Roberts arguing the library proves Stalin was a serious intellectual who believed books changed the world. 1902

Stalin's Early Education and Reading Habits: Colleague Geoffrey Roberts describes Stalin's Blizhnyaya dacha, where the dictator kept a massive library and died in 1953, detailing Stalin's youth as a pious, star seminary student who lost interest in the priesthood after discovering a radical bookshop, becoming a voracious reader of prohibited nationalist and socialist literature. 1939

Stalin's Early Education and Reading Habits: Colleague Geoffrey Roberts describes Stalin's Blizhnyaya dacha, where the dictator kept a massive library and died in 1953, detailing Stalin's youth as a pious, star seminary student who lost interest in the priesthood after discovering a radical bookshop, becoming a voracious reader of prohibited nationalist and socialist literature. 1921

Classifying the Dictator's Collection: Colleague Geoffrey Roberts reports that Stalin hired Lenin's former librarian to organize his growing collection, creating a handwritten classification scheme that prioritized Marxist thinkers, surprisingly ranking his rival Trotsky highly on this reading list; the Bolsheviks seized control of publishing to manage public thought, while Stalin adopted an ex libris stamp to identify his personal books. 1930

Personal Tragedy and the Dacha Library: Colleague Geoffrey Roberts recounts that following the suicide of his wife Nadia in 1932, Stalin became more isolated, moving his routine to the Blizhnyaya dacha, which became the "center of gravity" for his books eventually numbering around 25,000, suggesting that like Machiavelli, Stalin felt most among friends when surrounded by his library. 1934

Historical Influences: Bismarck and Realpolitik: Colleague Geoffrey Roberts discusses how Stalin studied Bismarck as a fellow modernizer who executed a "revolution from above" to build a strong state, arguing that regarding Machiavelli, Stalin did not need The Prince to learn cynicism or power politics, as he had already learned those lessons effectively from Bolshevik mentors like Lenin and Trotsky. 1935

Rehabilitating Ivan the Terrible: Colleague Geoffrey Roberts reports that Stalin favored the narrative history of Robert Vipper, who rehabilitated Ivan the Terrible as a state-builder rather than a cruel tyrant; Stalin criticized Eisenstein's film sequel for portraying Ivan as weak, insisting Ivan's terror was a necessary defense of the state, a view justifying Stalin's own purges. 1945

They flew with no lights, no radios, and no parachutes. Their planes were made of wood, covered in canvas, and could barely outrun a speeding truck—but the German army feared them more than anything that roared across the skies. These were the Night Witches of the Soviet Union, the all-women 588th Night Bomber Regiment—daring young pilots who turned impossible odds into legendary victories. In this archived episode of For the Love of History, TK takes you into the nighttime skies of WWII, where teenage aviators glided silently over enemy lines, dropping bombs with such stealth that German soldiers swore they “flew like witches.” Learn how these women were trained, what they flew, why Hitler's forces awarded medals for shooting them down, and how the most decorated of them—Nadezhda Popova—once flew 18 missions in a single night. This episode touches on: ✨ The all-women bomber regiment Stalin tried to ignore ✨ Biplanes that were literally held together with fabric ✨ Combat missions flown in total darkness ✨ Soviet sexism…but also Soviet girl power ✨ One of the greatest forgotten stories of WWII This story is fierce, heartbreaking, inspiring—and absolutely unforgettable. If you enjoyed this episode and want to support more hidden women's history and weird world history, you can join the community on Patreon. New goodies and bonus content are waiting for you! Patreon  Instagram  Website TikTok Merch Store YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob Corzine unpacks the Sunday readings and historian Dr. Vejas Liulevicius looks back on Stalin's Great Purges.

Get access to The Backroom (80+ exclusive episodes) on Patreon.com/onedimeIn this episode of 1Dime Radio, I have an in-depth discussion with Ross Wolfe about neo-Stalinism. We examine the influence of Domenico Losurdo, and how his work relates to a niche defence of Marxism-Leninism. We take up the concepts of state power and revolution, and how the history of liberalism is often misinterpreted by modern activists. In the Backroom on Patreon, Ross Wolfe and I explore just what is “Western Marxism.” Is there a widely agreed upon definition? To do this, Wolfe and I have to unpack its origins, and the polemics by Losurdo, Gabriel Rockhill and others. We try to pin down the line between socialistic critique of capitalism, and simple anti-Western sentiment.TimeStamps: 00:00 Losurdo and Rockhill The (Backroom Sneak Peek) 03:48 Critique of Neo-Stalinism and Marxism-Leninism 06:29 The Influence of Dominico Losurdo 47:23 Historical Inaccuracies in Losurdo's Work 51:14 Trotsky's Legacy and Stalin's Tactics 01:01:21 Debating Marxism, Communism, and State PowerGuest (Ross Wolfee): X/Twitter: https://x.com/rosswolfe?lang=enFind His Articles on Losurdo here: https://thecharnelhouse.org/author/rosslaurencewolfe/FOLLOW 1Dime: • Substack (Articles and Essays): https://substack.com/@tonyof1dime • X/Twitter: https://x.com/1DimeOfficial • Instagram: / tonyof1dime• Check out my main channel videos: / @1dimeeOutro Music by Karl Casey. Leave a like, drop a comment, and give the show a 5-star rating on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to this.

PREVIEW — Mary Kissel — Missing Diplomatic Memory and the Russian Challenge. Kissel argues that current U.S.diplomats possess insufficient institutional memory and negotiating experience to effectively engage a nuclear-armed peer competitor like the former Soviet Union, now resurgent as Russia under Putin. Kissel emphasizes that the U.S. currently lacks a Senate-confirmed ambassador to Russia, critically limiting the American embassy's political influence and direct access to White House decision-making structures. Kissel documents that this ambassadorial vacancy reflects deeper institutional erosion of American diplomatic expertise and strategic communication capabilities regarding Russiannegotiations, creating dangerous capacity gaps precisely when Moscow possesses nuclear weapons and elevated geopolitical ambitions. 1931 STALIN & GORKY

 November 30, 2025 – Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and lifetime Long Islander, Bill Bleyer, joins us in the time machine to walk the streets of Gotham past with his book, “The Roosevelts in New York City.” Among his previous books is “Sagamore Hill: Theodore Roosevelt’s Summer White House.” The Roosevelts story in America began with Nicholas Roosevelt, a farmer who arrived four centuries ago and planted the seeds of a distinguished and impactful family ― one with ties to many places in New York City. On East 20th St. stands a recreation of the brownstone where President Theodore Roosevelt was born and developed his love of nature. The twin brownstone next door was where his uncle, Robert Roosevelt, instilled in the future president an interest in conservation, while having multiple affairs and even starting a second secret family with a mistress. The double townhouse on East 65th Street built by Sara Delano Roosevelt still stands, built so that her son, President Franklin Roosevelt, would have a suitable place to raise his family. It also allowed her, as Bill Bleyer says, to keep him tied to her apron strings while she meddled in their lives. Her daughter-in-law — TR's niece, Eleanor Roosevelt — was driven to tears by having to live in a home that was not her own. Bill Bleyer details the unique places in the city where family members lived and worked and unveils the private interactions behind this famous American family. For more interviews on the Roosevelts: David Pietrusza – 1920: The Year of the Six Presidents” David Pietrusza – Roosevelt Sweeps Nation: FDR's 1936 Landslide and the Triumph of the Liberal Ideal Michael Patrick Cullinane – Remembering Theodore Roosevelt: Reminiscences of his Contemporaries Michael Patrick Cullinane – Theodore Roosevelt's Ghost: The History and Memory of an American Icon Winston Groom – The Allies: Roosevelt, Stalin, Churchill and the Unlikely Alliance That Won World War II David Pietrusza – TR's Last War: Theodore Roosevelt, the Great War, and a Journey of Triumph and Tragedy Tim Brady – His Father's Son: The Life of General Ted Roosevelt, Jr. John J. Miller – The Big Scrum: How Teddy Roosevelt Saved Football Kermit Roosevelt – Allegiance David Pietrusza – 1932: The Rise of Hitler and FDR

4/8. FDR Deals with the Socialist and Communist Parties — David Pietrusza — Roosevelt expressed concern that the Socialist Party (led by Norman Thomas) and the Communist Party (led by Earl Browder) would siphon votes from the Democratic ticket. Due to Stalin's strategic pivot toward the Popular Front strategy opposing Hitler, the CPUSA, directed by Browder, tacitly supported Roosevelt by concentrating opposition fire on the Republican nominee. The Communists aligned strategically with radical organizations including the Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota. 1936 BERLIN

durée : 00:59:08 - Les Grandes Traversées - par : Marie Chartron - Comment vit-on quand un mot peut être fatal ? Qu'est-ce que la langue raconte de la vie sous Staline ? - réalisation : Diphy Mariani

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geI5r-tvCK8&t=1s Keith Bennett, an old friend and comrade of Harpal's, and leader of the "Friends of Socialist China" campaign, gives a moving message of condolence. This video was shot in January 2025 at Harpal Brar's memorial service in Bolivar Hall, London. It was a moving tribute and celebration of his life, held with his friends and family, representatives of Socialist nations and fraternal political organisations. Many comrades spoke in moving and generous terms, giving solidarity with his family and party, and paying tribute to his political contribution. We will share the messages of all the comrades who spoke at the service. Harpal Brar was the inspirer and founding Chairman on the Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist-Leninist). He was a lecturer in Law, a barrister, a historian, a marxist scholar, theorist, thinker and teacher. Harpal was one of the foremost leaders of the British working class, and the Indian working class in Britain. He was a great leader of the world communist movement, holding aloft the torch of reason, of proletarian class consciousness and struggle in the dark days after the collapse of the USSR - when the imperialist bourgeoisie were riding high and proclaiming their rotten and parasitic system to be "the end of history". You can read his full obituary here: https://www.lalkar.org/article/4613/h... And find his books here: https://shop.thecommunists.org/produc... He was the editor of the paper of the Indian Workers' Association, and the anti-imperialist workers' journal LALKAR, which can be found here: https://www.lalkar.org Harpal played a role in many of the great liberation struggles of his time, from Zimbabwe and South Africa, Vietnam and Korea, Palestine and the Middle East to the great anti-imperialist cause of Irish reunification and national liberation. And of course he struggled tirelessly to solve the central question of the liberation of the working class from capitalist exploitation and imperialism. Harpal wrote extensively on the question of proletarian revolution and womens liberation. Harpal's criticism of the Labour Party as an imperialist party of Social Democracy is essential reading for all British workers. He wrote on Indian, Zimbabwean, Korean and Vietnamese national liberation, on bourgeois nationalism, black separatism and identity politics. He wrote of course extensively on the great revolutionary movements of the Soviet people and of China, and he wrote on the historical roots of Zionism and imperialism in the Middle East with specific reference to the cause of the Palestinian people for national liberation and self determination. Harpal was undoubtedly a great disciple of Marx and Lenin, and recognised that the Great Socialist October Revolution in Russia as a watershed of cultural enlightenment and freedom for Humanity. Harpal's critique of Trotskyism, his defence of the revolutionary teaching and leadership of Joseph Stalin, and his critique of Khrushchevism and revisionism that caused the downfall of Soviet Socialism is among the lasting theoretical contributions he bequeathed to the communist movement. We are grateful and moved by all of the tributes from his friends and comrades - that flowed to us even before we could speak to any but our closest comrades and family. To all of Harpal's comrades and loved ones: we are sorry for your loss too. We are united in our grief. And our determination to carry on his work. Which is all of our work. The Party was Harpal's wider family in every sense. And remains ours. If Harpal could say one thing to us it would be: “guard the party as you guard the apple of your eye.” He struggled to found and build it in the most difficult conjunction of circumstances, after the fall of the once mighty USSR. It is a great gift - the best of British - that he leaves us. A lutta continua!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8v8iG0btgs&list=PL3fsZgrmuTzdtIOJrggRJGDMo6RQt-RkU&index=6 Ranjeet speaks about the life of his father and mentor, founder of the CPGB-ML, Harpal Brar. This video was shot in January 2025 at Harpal Brar's memorial service in Bolivar Hall, London. It was a moving tribute and celebration of his life, held with his friends and family, representatives of Socialist nations and fraternal political organisations. Many comrades spoke in moving and generous terms, giving solidarity with his family and party, and paying tribute to his political contribution. We will share the tributes of all the comrades who spoke at the service. Harpal Brar was the inspirer and founding Chairman on the Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist-Leninist). He was a lecturer in Law, a barrister, a historian, a marxist scholar, theorist, thinker and teacher. Harpal was one of the foremost leaders of the British working class, and the Indian working class in Britain. He was a great leader of the world communist movement, holding aloft the torch of reason, of proletarian class consciousness and struggle in the dark days after the collapse of the USSR - when the imperialist bourgeoisie were riding high and proclaiming their rotten and parasitic system to be "the end of history". You can read his full obituary here: https://www.lalkar.org/article/4613/h... And find his books here: https://shop.thecommunists.org/produc... He was the editor of the paper of the Indian Workers' Association, and the anti-imperialist workers' journal LALKAR, which can be found here: https://www.lalkar.org Harpal played a role in many of the great liberation struggles of his time, from Zimbabwe and South Africa, Vietnam and Korea, Palestine and the Middle East to the great anti-imperialist cause of Irish reunification and national liberation. And of course he struggled tirelessly to solve the central question of the liberation of the working class from capitalist exploitation and imperialism. Harpal wrote extensively on the question of proletarian revolution and womens liberation. Harpal's criticism of the Labour Party as an imperialist party of Social Democracy is essential reading for all British workers. He wrote on Indian, Zimbabwean, Korean and Vietnamese national liberation, on bourgeois nationalism, black separatism and identity politics. He wrote of course extensively on the great revolutionary movements of the Soviet people and of China, and he wrote on the historical roots of Zionism and imperialism in the Middle East with specific reference to the cause of the Palestinian people for national liberation and self determination. Harpal was undoubtedly a great disciple of Marx and Lenin, and recognised that the Great Socialist October Revolution in Russia as a watershed of cultural enlightenment and freedom for Humanity. Harpal's critique of Trotskyism, his defence of the revolutionary teaching and leadership of Joseph Stalin, and his critique of Khrushchevism and revisionism that caused the downfall of Soviet Socialism is among the lasting theoretical contributions he bequeathed to the communist movement. We are grateful and moved by all of the tributes from his friends and comrades - that flowed to us even before we could speak to any but our closest comrades and family. To all of Harpal's comrades and loved ones: we are sorry for your loss too. We are united in our grief. And our determination to carry on his work. Which is all of our work. The Party was Harpal's wider family in every sense. And remains ours. If Harpal could say one thing to us it would be: “guard the party as you guard the apple of your eye.” He struggled to found and build it in the most difficult conjunction of circumstances, after the fall of the once mighty USSR. It is a great gift - the best of British - that he leaves us. A lutta continua!

Segment 13 — MIT and Espionage: Shumovski Targets American Aviation and Mass Production Secrets — Svetlana Lokhova — Soviet agents including Stanislav Shumovski systematically targeted crucial American industrial and aeronautical secrets. Shumovski focused on acquiring advanced bomber designs, particularly high-altitude variants, and studying Ford's mass production methodologies to enable Soviet armament manufacturing using unskilled labor. Classmate Chernowski, however, began meeting American Trotskyites, developing plots against Stalin that would later prove catastrophic. 1934IP                    

Segment 14 — The Price of Service: Purges and Arrests of Soviet Agents and Designers — Svetlana Lokhova — The 1935 Kremlin affair investigation, triggered by Kirov's assassination, exposed plots against Stalin's authority. Chernowski, a military intelligence officer and committed Trotskyite, was arrested and executed, naming Ray Bennettduring interrogation protocols. Airplane designer Sergei Tupolev was also arrested but continued critical design work within a special prison facility before his eventual release and subsequent honors from the regime. 11934

Segment 9 — Stanislav Shumovski: Polish Nobleman to Master Spy of Soviet Technology Theft — Svetlana Lokhova — Lokhova introduces Stanislav Shumovski, a Polish nobleman and Russian Civil War hero selected to lead Soviet science and technology (S&T) espionage operations. Stalin prioritized technology acquisition to overcome Russia's industrial backwardness, reportedly stating: "if we do not bridge that gap within 5 to 10 years they will crush us." 1925

Instead of a news roundup, we are releasing the second episode of our new miniseries ⁠Chinese Prestige⁠. Annual subscribers already have access, while everyone else can get the 8 episodes for $5 for two weeks only. This conversation examines China's early post-Korean War period and the political and social campaigns that defined the new PRC. The group discusses land reform, the Three-anti and Five-anti campaigns, Soviet-style economic planning centered on heavy industry, and the technocratic overhaul of higher education. They also explore China's deteriorating relationship with the United States, shifting ties with the Soviet Union after Stalin's death, early signs of the Sino-Soviet split, and Mao's tightening control. Theme music by Jake Aron, based on the song “The East is Red.”

PREVIEW — Svetlana Lokhova — Soviet Espionage in the US: The Role of Ray Bennett. Lokhova discusses the extensive Soviet espionage network established by Stalin in the 1930s to systematically steal American intellectual property, particularly aeronautics and aviation secrets. Lokhova examines Ray Bennett, a Hunter College graduate who served as a trainer for the espionage ring. Bennett, daughter of a communist newspaper editor, maintained extensive associations with communist operatives throughout New York, facilitating recruitment and operational security.

-Rob tears into Somali welfare fraud, German migration chaos, and one DOJ “Karen” who thought livestreaming a federal raid was a bright idea — spoiler: it wasn't. -Former Congressman Louie Gohmert joins on the Newsmax Hotline, blasting the DOJ's “Stalin-style fishing trips” and joking he's gotten more fake job offers than a LinkedIn bot. Today's podcast is sponsored by : BIRCH GOLD - Protect and grow your retirement savings with gold. Text ROB to 98 98 98 for your FREE information kit! WEBROOT : Live a better digital life with Webroot Total Protection. Rob Carson Show listeners get 60% off at http://webroot.com/Newsmax  To call in and speak with Rob Carson live on the show, dial 1-800-922-6680 between the hours of 12 Noon and 3:00 pm Eastern Time Monday through Friday…E-mail Rob Carson at : RobCarsonShow@gmail.com Musical parodies provided by Jim Gossett (http://patreon.com/JimGossettComedy) Listen to Newsmax LIVE and see our entire podcast lineup at http://Newsmax.com/Listen Make the switch to NEWSMAX today! Get your 15 day free trial of NEWSMAX+ at http://NewsmaxPlus.com Looking for NEWSMAX caps, tees, mugs & more? Check out the Newsmax merchandise shop at : http://nws.mx/shop Follow NEWSMAX on Social Media:  -Facebook: http://nws.mx/FB  -X/Twitter: http://nws.mx/twitter -Instagram: http://nws.mx/IG -YouTube: https://youtube.com/NewsmaxTV -Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsmaxTV -TRUTH Social: https://truthsocial.com/@NEWSMAX -GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/newsmax -Threads: http://threads.net/@NEWSMAX  -Telegram: http://t.me/newsmax  -BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/newsmax.com -Parler: http://app.parler.com/newsmax Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last time we spoke about the Changkufeng Incident. In a frost-bitten dawn along the Chaun and Tumen rivers, a border notched with memory becomes the stage for a quiet duel of will. On one side, Japanese officers led by Inada Masazum study maps, mud, and the hill known as Changkufeng, weighing ground it offers and the risk of war. They glimpse a prize, high ground that could shield lines to Korea—yet they sense peril in every ridge, every scent of winter wind. Across the line, Soviet forces tighten their grip on the crest, their eyes fixed on the same hill, their tents and vehicles creeping closer to the border. The air hums with cautious diplomacy: Moscow's orders pulse through Seoul and Harbin, urging restraint, probing, deterring, but never inviting full-scale conflict. Yet every patrol, every reconnaissance, seems to tilt the balance toward escalation.   #177 The point of no return for the USSR and Japan Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Days passed and the local emissaries had not been released by the Russians. Domei reported from Seoul that the authorities were growing worried; the "brazen" actions of Soviet front-line forces infuriated the Manchurians and Japanese. From Seoul, too, came ominous news that villagers were preparing to evacuate because they feared fighting would soon begin in the Changkufeng area. While diplomatic activity continued in Moscow without effect, the Tokyo press continued to report intense military activity throughout the Soviet Far East—the greatest massing of troops in months, with planes, armored cars, and motorized equipment choking the Trans-Siberian railway. The press was dominated by commentary about the danger of war. One enterprising Tokyo publisher ran advertisements under the heading: "The Manchukuo-Soviet Border Situation Is Urgent—Ours Is the Only Detailed Map of the Soviet Far East: Newspaper-size, in seven clear colors, offset printed, only 50 sen." Although the Manchukuoan foreign office issued a statement on 20 July about the dire consequences the Soviets were inviting, it is probable that the next Russian actions, of a conciliatory nature, were reached independently. Either Moscow had taken almost a week to make the decision, or the diplomatic conversations there had had an effect. Local Japanese authorities reported inactivity on the Changkufeng front from the morning of 23 July. On the next day, word was received that the USSR proposed to return the two emissaries as "trespassers." At midday on 26 July, the Russians released the blindfolded agents at a border site along the Novokievsk road. After completing the formalities, the Japanese asked the Russians for a reply concerning local settlement of the incident. According to Japanese sources, the "flustered" Colonel Grebennik answered: "My assignment today was merely to turn over the envoys. As for any request about the Changkufeng Incident, our guard commander must have asked for instructions from the central government. I think this is the type of matter which must be answered by the authorities at Moscow through diplomatic channels." Grebennik's postwar recollection does not differ appreciably from the Japanese version. Soviet sources mention a second effort by the Japanese military to deliver a message under more forceful circumstances. On 23 July a Soviet border unit drove off a four-man party. Russian cavalry, sent to investigate, discovered that the Japanese had pulled down a telegraph pole, severed lines 100–150 meters inside Soviet territory, absconded with wire, and left behind a white flag and a letter. Undated, unsigned, and written in Korean, the message struck Grebennik as being substantively the same as the communication delivered formally by the emissaries on 18 July. Japanese materials make no reference to a second, informal effort by local forces, but there is little reason to doubt that such an attempt, perhaps unauthorized, was made. Although Japanese efforts at low-level negotiations came to naught, two observations emerged from the local authorities and the press. First, on-the-spot negotiations had broken down; it had been difficult even to reclaim the emissaries, and the Russians in the Posyet region were using various pretexts to refer matters to diplomatic echelons. Second, the Russians had released the men. Some interpreted this as the first evidence of Soviet sincerity; possibly, the USSR would even return Matsushima's body as a step toward settlement. Other Japanese observers on the scene warned the public that it was imperative to stay on guard: "All depends on how diplomacy proceeds and how the front-line troops behave." Yet the excitement in the Japanese press began to abate. It is difficult to ascertain the nature of the decision-making process on the Russian side after the Japanese attempted local negotiations. The Soviets contend that nothing special had been undertaken before the Japanese provoked matters at the end of July. Grebennik, however, admits that after receiving the two Japanese communications, "we started to prepare against an attack on us in the Lake Khasan area." He and a group of officers went to Changkufeng Hill and sent as many border guards there as possible. Although he personally observed Japanese troops and instructed his officers to do the same, he denied categorically that the Russians constructed trenches and fortifications. Only the observation of Manchurian territory was intensified while instructions were awaited from higher headquarters. For its part, the Korea Army was carrying out Imperial general headquarters first instructions while pursuing a wait-and-see policy. On 16 July, Korea Army Headquarters wired an important operations order to Suetaka. With a view toward a possible attack against intruders in the Khasan area, the army planned to make preparations. The division commander was to alert stipulated units for emergency dispatch and send key personnel to the Kyonghun sector to undertake preparations for an attack. Lt. Col. Senda Sadasue, BGU commander of the 76th Infantry Regiment, was to reconnoiter, reinforce nearby districts, and be ready for emergencies. Particular care was enjoined not to irritate the Soviet side. Maj. Gen. Yokoyama Shinpei, the Hunchun garrison commander, was to maintain close contact with the BGU and take every precaution in guarding the frontiers. Like Senda, Yokoyama was warned against irritating the Russians. Korea Army Headquarters also dispatched staff to the front and had them begin preparations, envisaging an offensive. Upon receipt of the army order, Suetaka issued implementing instructions from his Nanam headquarters at 4:30 A.M. on the 17th. The following units were to prepare for immediate alert: the 38th Infantry Brigade Headquarters, 75th Infantry Regiment, 27th Cavalry Regiment, 5th Antiaircraft Regiment, and 19th Engineer Regiment. The same instructions applied to the next units, except that elements organic to the division were designated: the 76th Infantry Regiment, 25th Mountain Artillery Regiment, and 15th Heavy Field Artillery Regiment. Another order enjoined utmost care not to irritate the Russians; Japanese actions were to be masked. Next came a directive to the forces of Senda and K. Sato. The former comprised mainly the 76th Infantry BGU and a cavalry platoon. The latter was built around the 75th Infantry Regiment, the Kucheng garrison unit, another cavalry platoon, two mountain artillery and one heavy field artillery battalion, and the 19th Engineers. Suetaka's idea about a solution to the border troubles had become concrete and aggressive. From the night of July 17, concentration would be accomplished gradually. The exact timing of the attack would be determined by subsequent orders; in Senda's area, there was no such restriction regarding "counteraction brought on by enemy attack." Division signal and intendant officers would conduct reconnaissance related to communications, billeting, food, and supplies. Sato and his subordinates were to reconnoiter personally. Having ordered the division to begin concentration and to stand by, Korea Army Headquarters was prepared the next morning, July 17, to direct the movement. Nevertheless, there was concern in Seoul that Suetaka's advance elements might cross the Tumen River into Manchurian territory, which could result in a clash with Soviet troops. Such an outcome might run counter to the principle established by Imperial general headquarters. Consequently, it was decided that "movement east of the river would therefore have to be forbidden in the Korea Army's implementing order." Nakamura transmitted his operational instructions to Suetaka at 6:00 on July 17: "No great change in latest situation around Lake Khasan. Soviet forces are still occupying Changkufeng area. Diplomaticlevel negotiations on part of central authorities and Manchukuoan government do not appear to have progressed. Considering various circumstances and with view to preparations, this army will concentrate elements of 19th Division between Shikai, Kyonghun, Agochi." Restrictions stipulated that the division commander would transport the units by rail and motor vehicle and concentrate them in the waiting zone in secret. Movement was to begin on the night of July 17 and to be completed the next day. Further orders, however, must govern unit advance east of the Tumen as well as use of force. The remainder of the division was to stay ready to move out. Troops were to carry rations for about two weeks.   Late that day, Suetaka received an order by phone for his subordinates in line with Seoul's instructions. Senda would handle the concentration of elements assembling at Kyonghun, and Sato would do the same for the main units arriving at Agochi. A communications net was to be set up quickly. Caution was to be exercised not to undertake provocative actions against the opposite bank of the Tumen, even for reconnaissance. The division would dispatch two trains from Hoeryong and four from Nanam. At 11:58 pm on 18 July, the first train left Hoeryong for Agochi. Concentration of units was completed by dawn. By that time, the Japanese had dispatched to the border 3,236 men and 743 horses. Past midnight on 20 July, Division Chief of Staff Nakamura wired headquarters that the division was ready to take any action required, having completed the alert process by 11 pm. Japanese scouting of the Changkufeng sector began in earnest after mid-July. Although the affair had seemed amenable to settlement, Sato took steps for an emergency from around the 14th. His thoughts centered on readiness for an attack against Changkufeng, which simultaneously required reconnaissance for the assault and preparation to pull the regiment back quickly to Hoeryong if a withdrawal was ordered. After arriving at Haigan on 18 July, Sato set out with several engineers. At Kucheng, the officers donned white Korean clothing, presumably the disguise directed by the division—and boarded native oxcarts for a leisurely journey southward along the Korean bank of the Tumen across from Changkufeng. The seemingly innocent "farmers" studied the river for crossing sites and Changkufeng Hill for the extent of enemy activity. On the hill's western slope, in Manchurian territory, three rows of Russian entanglements could be observed 300 feet below the crest. Only a handful of soldiers were visible, probably a platoon, certainly not more than a company. Infantry Captain Yamada Teizo conducted secret reconnaissance of the entire Changkufeng-Hill 52 sector for 314 hours in the afternoon of 18 July. Even after intense scanning through powerful binoculars, he could detect no more than 19 lookouts and six horsemen; camouflage work had been completed that day, and there were ten separate covered trench or base points. Barbed wire, under camouflage, extended about four meters in depth, yet even Yamada's trained eye could not determine whether there was one line of stakes or two. He jotted down what he could see and compared his information with that learned from local police. Artillery Colonel R. Tanaka shared the view that the Soviets had intruded. When he went reconnoitering along the Korean bank, he observed Russian soldiers entrenched around the hilltop, easily visible through binoculars at a range of two kilometers. Trenches had been dug 20 to 30 meters below the crest on the western slope. Eventually, there were three rows of barbed wire, the first just below the trenches and the lowest 100 meters under the summit. Tanaka estimated Soviet strength at two companies (about 200 men). Suetaka's intelligence officer, Sasai, recalls seeing barbed wire after Japanese units deployed to the front on 18–19 July; he had surmised then that the entanglements were being prepared out of fear of a Japanese assault.   To obtain first-hand information, the Gaimusho ordered a section chief, Miura Kazu'ichi, to the spot. Between 23 July and the cease-fire in August, Miura collected data at Kyonghun and transmitted reports from the consulate at Hunchun. On 28 July he visited Sozan on the Korean bank. He observed Soviet soldiers on the western slopes of Changkufeng, digging trenches and driving stakes. These actions were clearly on Manchukuoan territory even according to Soviet maps. Miura insisted that he saw no friendly troops on territory claimed by the Russians and observed no provocative actions by the Japanese. These statements are supported by a map drawn for him in early August by Division Staff Officer Saito Toshio, a sketch Miura retained as late as 1947. Miura's testimony is tempered by his assertion that he saw a red flag flying near the top of Changkufeng Hill. This contention conflicts with all evidence, as Russian lawyers at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East argued, it is improbable that a Soviet frontier post, highly interested in camouflage, would have hoisted a pennon so large that it could be seen from Sozan. Russian sources are unanimous in stating that no flag was put up until 6 August and that no trenches or entanglements were established by Soviet border guards in July, at least prior to the 29th. The two Army General staff consultants, Arisue and Kotani, arrived in Seoul on 16 July, the day Korea Army Headquarters was ordering an alert for the 19th Division "with a view toward a possible attack against enemy intruders." Inada dispatched them mainly to inspect the frontline situation; but he had not fully decided on reconnaissance in force. At Shikai, Arisue and Kotani donned Korean garb and traveled by oxcart on the Korean side of the Tumen, reconnoitering opposite the Shachaofeng sector. Kotani was convinced that hostile possession of Changkufeng posed a serious threat to the Korean railway. He agreed with the division's estimate that, if the Japanese did decide to seize Changkufeng, it ought not to be too difficult. Arisue, as senior observer, dispatched messages from Kyonghun to Tokyo detailing their analysis and recommendations. Meanwhile, in Tokyo, on 17 July the central military authorities received a cable from the Japanese envoy in Moscow, Colonel Doi Akio, reporting that prospects for a diplomatic settlement were nil. The USSR was taking a hard line because Japan was deeply involved in China, though there were domestic considerations as well. The Russians, however, showed no intention of using the border incident to provoke war. It would be best for Japan to seize Changkufeng quickly and then press forward with parleys. Meanwhile, Japan should conduct an intensive domestic and external propaganda campaign. There was mounting pressure in the high command that negotiations, conducted "unaided," would miss an opportunity. Based on reports from Arisue and Kotani, that army seemed to be contemplating an unimaginative, ponderous plan: an infantry battalion would cross the Tumen west of Changkufeng and attack frontally, while two more battalions would cross south of Kyonghun to drive along the river and assault Changkufeng from the north. Inada sent a telegram on 17 July to Arisue for "reference." Prospects had diminished that Soviet troops would withdraw as a result of negotiation. As for the attack ideas Arisue mentioned, Inada believed it necessary to prepare to retake Changkufeng with a night attack using small forces. To avoid widening the crisis, the best plan was a limited, surprise attack using ground units. The notion of a surprise attack drew on the Kwantung Army's extensive combat experience in Manchuria since 1931.  The next morning, after the forward concentration of troops was completed, Suetaka went to the front. From Kucheng, he observed the Changkufeng district and decided on concrete plans for use of force. Meanwhile, Nakamura was curbing any hawkish courses at the front. As high-command sources privately conceded later, the younger officers in Tokyo sometimes seemed to think the commander was doing too good a job; there was covert sentiment that it might be preferable if someone in the chain of command acted independently before the opportunity slipped away. This is significant in light of the usual complaints by responsible central authorities about gekokujo—insubordination—by local commands. An important report influencing the high command's view arrived from Kwantung Army Intelligence on 19 July: according to agents in Khabarovsk, the USSR would not let the Changkufeng incident develop into war; Russians also believed there would be no large-scale Soviet intrusion into their territory. By 19 July, the Tokyo operations staff was considering the best method to restore control of the lost hill by force, since Seoul appeared to maintain its laissez-faire stance. On 18 July, Arisue and Kotani were instructed by Imperial General headquarters to assist the Korea Army and the 19th Division regarding the Changkufeng Incident. What the Army general staff operations officers sought was an Imperial General headquarters order, requiring Imperial sanction, that would instruct the Korea Army to evict the Russian troops from Changkufeng the way the Kwantung Army would, using units already under Nakamura's command. The sense was that the affair could be handled locally, but if the USSR sought to escalate the incident, it might be prudent for that to occur before the Hankow operation began. The IGHQ and War Ministry coordinated the drafting of an IGHQ order on 19–20 July: "We deem it advisable to eradicate Soviet challenges . . . by promptly delivering blow on this occasion against unit which crossed border at Changkufeng. That unit is in disadvantageous spot strategically and tactically; thus, probability is scant that dispute would enlarge, and we are investigating countermeasures in any case. Careless expansion of situation is definitely not desired. We would like you people also to conduct studies concerning mode of assault employing smallest strength possible for surprise attack against limited objective. Kindly learn general atmosphere here [Tokyo] from [Operations] Major Arao Okikatsu." The 20th of July proved to be a hectic day in Korea, and even more so in Tokyo. The division had informed the Korea Army that it was finally "ready to go," a message received in Seoul in the early hours. Then Arisue received a wire from Inada presenting limited-attack plans and noting that Arao was on the way. By that day, Japanese intelligence judged there were 400 Soviet troops and two or three mountain guns south of Paksikori. Russian positions at Changkufeng had been reinforced, but no aggressive intentions could be detected. Soviet ground elements, as well as materiel, appeared to be moving from Vladivostok and Slavyanka toward Posyet. Suetaka headed back to the front. Sato told him that it was absolutely necessary to occupy Chiangchunfeng Hill across the Tumen in Manchurian territory. Upon reaching the Wuchiatzu sector and inspecting the situation, Suetaka agreed to send a small unit to Chiangchunfeng on his own authority.  Colonel Sato Kotoku had ordered one company to move across the Tumen toward Chiangchunfeng on 21 July, a maneuver that did not escape the Russians' notice. On 24 July, the same day another Japanese unit occupied Shangchiaoshan Hill, Marshal Blyukher ordered the 40th Rifle Division, stationed in the Posyet area to be placed on combat readiness, with a force of regulars assigned to back the Soviet border guards; two reinforced rifle battalions were detached as a reserve. According to Japanese records, Russian border patrols began appearing around Huichungyuan, Yangkuanping, and Shachaofeng from 26 July, but no serious incidents were reported at that stage. At about 9:30 am on 29 July, Captain Kanda, the 2nd Company commander of Lieutenant Colonel Senda's 76th Border Garrison Unit, was observing the Shachaofeng area from his Kucheng cantonments. Through his glasses, Kanda observed four or five Soviet soldiers engaged in construction on high ground on the west side of Shachaofeng. Kanda notified Senda, who was at BGU Headquarters inspecting the forward areas. Senda transmitted the information to Suetaka. Deciding to cross the Tumen for a closer look, Senda set off with Kanda. A little after 11 am, they reached Chiangchunfeng Hill, where the men from Captain Noguchi's company were already located. Senda verified, to his own satisfaction, that as many as 10 enemy infantrymen had "violated the border" to a depth of 350 meters, "even by the Soviets' contention", and were starting construction 1,000 meters south of Shachaofeng. Senda decided to oust the Russian force "promptly and resolutely," in light of the basic mission assigned his unit. He telephoned Suetaka, who was in Kyonghun, and supplied the intelligence and the recommendation. Subordinates recalled Suetaka's initial reaction when the BGU reported a Soviet intrusion about a mile and a half north of Changkufeng. "The arrogant Russians were making fools of the Japanese, or were trying to. At stake was not a trifling hill and a few invaders, but the honor of the Imperial Army. In the face of this insult, the general became furious. He insisted upon smashing the enemy right away."  Kanda phoned 2nd Lieutenant Sakuma, who was still at Kucheng, and told him to bring his 25-man platoon across the river by 2 pm Sakuma crossed by boat and arrived at 1:30. Kanda set out from Chiangchunfeng at 2:20, took over Sakuma's unit, bore east, and approached within 700 meters of the enemy. He ordered the men not to fire unless fired upon, and to withdraw quickly after routing the Russians. It is said that the Japanese troops were fired upon as they advanced in deployed formation but did not respond at first. In a valley, casualties were incurred and the Japanese finally returned fire. Sakuma's 1st Squad leader took a light machine gun and pinned down the Russians facing him. Sakuma himself pressed forward with his other two squads, taking advantage of the slope to envelop the enemy from the right. At the same time, he sent a patrol to the high ground on the left to cover the platoon's flank. Thanks to the 1st Squad's frontal assault, the Russians had no chance to worry about their wings, and Sakuma moved forward to a point only 30 meters from the foe's rear. Kanda was now 50 meters from the Russians. When the enemy light machine gun let up, he ordered a charge and, in the lead, personally cut down one of the foe. Sakuma also rushed the Soviets, but when about to bring down his saber he was stabbed in the face while another Russian struck him in the shoulder. Grappling with this assailant, Sakuma felled him. Other Japanese attackers sabered two more Russians and shot the rest. By 3:10 pm the eight enemy "trespassers" had been annihilated. The covering patrol reported that five Soviet horsemen, with a light machine gun, were galloping up from Khasan. Sakuma had his platoon fire grenade dischargers, which smashed the enemy. Seventy more Russian soldiers now came, attacking from northwest of the lake and supported by fire from the east side. Using light machine guns and grenade dischargers, Sakuma checked them. Meanwhile, Miyashita's platoon, part of Noguchi's company, had departed from Chiangchunfeng at 2:20 pm and swung right until it reached the crestline between Changkufeng and Kanda's company. One squad faced 200 Russians on Changkufeng; the other faced the enemy south of Shachaofeng. Soviet forces opened intense machine-gun fire from Changkufeng and from the high ground east of the lake. After 20 minutes, Kanda's unit charged, two or three Russians fled, and Miyashita's platoon shot one down. Senda, who had gone with Miyashita, directed the platoon's movements and proceeded north, under fire, to Kanda's unit. Once the Russians had been cleared out, Senda forbade pursuit across the boundary and gradually withdrew his forces to the heights line 800 meters southwest. It was 4:30 then. By 5 pm Soviet reinforcements, apparently brought up from the Changkufeng and Paksikori sectors, advanced anew. With 80 men in the front lines, the enemy pushed across the border to a depth of at least 500 meters, according to the Japanese, and began to establish positions. Several tanks and many troops could be observed in the rear. Senda had Noguchi's company hold Chiangchunfeng. Kanda's unit, reinforced by 33 men from Kucheng, was to occupy the heights southwest of Shachaofeng, while Imagawa's company of the 76th Regiment was to occupy other high ground to the west. Senda then reported the situation to Suetaka in Kyonghun and asked for reinforcements. In Seoul, Army headquarters understood the developments reported by Suetaka as a response to the hostile border violation, and about 20 men of the Kucheng BGU under Lt. Sakuma drove the enemy out between 2:30 and 3 pm. Afterward, Sakuma pulled back to high ground two kilometers south of Yangkuanping to avoid trouble and was now observing the foe. Although Seoul had heard nothing about Japanese losses, Corp. Akaishizawa Kunihiko personally observed that Kanda had been wounded in the face by a grenade and bandaged, that Sakuma had been bayoneted twice and also bandaged, and that the dead lay on the grass, covered with raincoats. According to Suetaka "the enemy who had crossed the border south of Shachaofeng suffered losses and pulled back once as a result of our attack at about 2:30 pm". By about 4:30, Suetaka continued, the Russians had built up their strength and attacked the platoon on the heights southwest of Shachaofeng. Behind the Russian counterattack, there were now several tanks. Earlier, Suetaka noted ominously that several rounds of artillery had been fired from the Changkufeng area; "therefore, we reinforced our units too, between 5 and 6 pm., and both sides are confronting each other." Details as to the fate of Sakuma's platoon are not given, but it is now admitted that casualties were incurred on both sides. The Korea Army Headquarters consequently reported to Tokyo in the evening that, according to information from the division, 20 Japanese had driven out the Russians near Shachaofeng; 25 men from Senda's unit were occupying the heights 600 meters west of Changkufeng; and another 16 men were deployed in ambush at Yangkuanping. Such an enumeration would have tended to suggest that only a few dozen Japanese were across the Tumen on the 29th. But a review of the numbers of combat troops committed and the reinforcements sent by Senda reveals that Japanese strength across the river was in the hundreds by nightfall. In Moscow, Tass reported that on 29 July detachments of Japanese-Manchukuoan intruders had attempted to seize high ground apparently located 0.5 miles north of a Russian position. The assailants had been "completely repelled from Soviet territory, as a result of measures taken by Russian frontier guards," and instructions had been sent to the embassy in Tokyo to protest strongly. Walter Duranty, the veteran American correspondent in Moscow, heard that the Japanese press had published reports, likely intended for internal consumption, that hours of furious fighting had occurred at the points in question. Since the dispatches were unsubstantiated and "failed to gain credence anywhere outside Japan," Duranty claimed this may have forced the Japanese to translate into action their boast of "applying force" unless their demands were satisfied. "Now, it appears, they have applied force, unsuccessfully." The Soviet communiqué on the Shachaofeng affair, despite its firm tone, appeared unostentatiously in the following day's Pravda and Izvestiya under the headline, "Japanese Militarists Continue Their Provocation." The Japanese Embassy in Moscow heard nothing about the Shachaofeng affray until the morning of the 30th, when a wire was received from the Gaimusho that ten Russian soldiers had occupied a position northwest of Changkufeng and had begun trench work until ejected by frontier guards. Since the Russian communiqué spoke of afternoon fighting, American correspondents concluded that Soviet troops must have counterattacked and driven off the Japanese. No additional information was available to the public in Moscow on the 30th, perhaps because it was a holiday. Nevertheless, in the afternoon, Stalin's colleague Kaganovich addressed an immense crowd in Moscow on "Railroad Day" and at the conclusion of a long, vigorous speech said:  "The Soviet Union is prepared to meet all enemies, east or west." It certainly was not a fighting speech and there is no reason to suppose the Soviet will abandon its firm peace policy unless Japan deliberately forced the issue. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Diplomacy flickered as Moscow pressed restraint and Tokyo whispered calculated bravado. As July wore on, both sides massed troops, built trenches, and sent scouts across the river. A tense, hidden war unfolded, skirmishes, patrols, and small advances, until a fleeting moment when force collided with restraint, and the hill's future hung in the frost.

November is a month when communities around the world commemorate the Holodomor–Stalin's genocide famine in Ukraine that, in 1933, starved millions to death, the vast majority of them Ukrainians. Conservative estimates place the death toll at 3.9 million. During the famine, a death certificate listed the cause of death simply as "Ukrainian." In the years leading up to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine today, Vladimir Putin's KGB dictatorship revived the cult of mass-murdering dictator Joseph Stalin–producing propaganda textbooks, putting up Stalin statues, and outlawing acknowledgment of the fact that Stalin helped launch World War II by invading Poland two weeks after Nazi Germany, then holding joint military parades with the Nazis. Stalin monuments and billboards are today in regions of Ukraine under Russian occupation. Back in the early 1930s, as Stalin laid the groundwork for his man-made famine–a diabolically efficient way of killing millions before the invention of the atomic bomb–the New York Times praised his regime. Walter Duranty, the paper's Moscow bureau chief, won a Pulitzer for Soviet propaganda and went on to gaslight readers by insisting, "There is no famine." Challenging the media establishment, political elites, and industry leaders eager to profit from helping Stalin modernize his empire was a young Welsh journalist, Gareth Jones. Idealistic and courageous, he risked his life and career to become a vital independent witness to the genocide. His story is told in the film Mr. Jones and in the award-winning graphic novel In the Shadow of Stalin: The Story of Mr. Jones. The film was developed with support from historical advisors, including Timothy Snyder, whose classic Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin opens with Jones's story. To commemorate the Holodomor this year, we're sharing the audio from a video interview from September 2024 featuring In the Shadow of Stalin: The Story of Mr. Jones, which recently won a Ringo Award for Best Nonfiction and received the honor of being a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection. (You can find the video in the show notes). Andrea Chalupa of Gaslit Nation, the writer/producer of the Mr. Jones film and comic In the Shadow of Stalin, speaks with Anastasia Ulanowicz, an Associate Professor of English at the University of Florida who specializes in comics as a medium for personal and historical memory. If you're looking for a way to help Ukraine, consider purchasing a copy of In the Shadow of Stalin: The Story of Mr. Jones for your local school or library. Hundreds of copies have already been given to members of Congress and sold to raise funds for Razom for Ukraine–Andrea has given away so many copies that she will never see any royalties for this as those books must be paid off to the publisher to cover their costs. When you purchase a book to give away to raise awareness, you're supporting Ukraine, not the author. Any effort to help spread this story is deeply appreciated. For those who haven't seen Mr. Jones, it's available here, and Andrea's short documentary Stalin's Secret Genocide–which screened at the United Nations in 2016 and features Timothy Snyder; Anne Applebaum; Norman Naimark of Stanford, author of Stalin's Genocides; Serhii Plokhii of Harvard, author of The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine; and other leading historians–is available here. Thank you to everyone who continues to raise their voices for Ukraine during the country's existential fight for survival–and for the freedom of the world against Russian fascist lawlessness.   Show Notes: Buy a copy for your local school or library: In the Shadow of Stalin: The Story of Mr. Jones By Andrea Chalupa, Illustrated by Ivan Rodrigues https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/In-the-Shadow-of-Stalin-The-Story-of-Mr-Jones/Andrea-Chalupa/9781637152775   Watch the video discussion of the Mr. Jones graphic novel In the Shadow of Stalin: The Story of Mr. Jones:  https://education.holodomor.ca/new-webinar-holodomor-hot-off-the-press/   Watch Stalin's Secret Genocide: https://youtu.be/Sr5WkhEiqcY   Where to watch Mr. Jones http://www.samuelgoldwynfilms.com/mr-jones/   Music: Prayer for Ukraine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn0_p1ZR3hg&list=RDzn0_p1ZR3hg&start_radio=1

  HEADLINE: Khrushchev, Hard Power, and Gorbachev's Doomed Reform GUEST AUTHOR: Professor Sean McMeekin 50-WORD SUMMARY: Despite Khrushchev's denunciation of Stalin's crimes (1956), the Soviets pursued hard power politics, motivated by proving their system's superiority. The 1979 invasion of Afghanistan was a destructive strategic error. Mikhail Gorbachev sincerely sought to reinvigorate communism by reducing corruption and improving planning but failed, ultimately misunderstanding that the regime relied on corruption and sheer force to operate.

HEADLINE: Khrushchev, Hard Power, and Gorbachev's Doomed Reform GUEST AUTHOR: Professor Sean McMeekin 50-WORD SUMMARY: Despite Khrushchev's denunciation of Stalin's crimes (1956), the Soviets pursued hard power politics, motivated by proving their system's superiority. The 1979 invasion of Afghanistan was a destructive strategic error. Mikhail Gorbachev sincerely sought to reinvigorate communism by reducing corruption and improving planning but failed, ultimately misunderstanding that the regime relied on corruption and sheer force to operate.

HEADLINE: Mao Zedong, Xenophobia, and the Failure of the Great Leap Forward GUEST AUTHOR: Professor Sean McMeekin 50-WORD SUMMARY: Mao Zedong blended Marxism with fierce anti-imperialism and xenophobia, targeting the "global imperialistic system" and foreign influence. The Great Leap Forward combined elements from The Communist Manifesto, Stalin's collectivization, and competition with Khrushchev. This disastrous experiment, aiming to surpass Britain, led to chaos, famine, and the deaths of 40 to 45 million people.

The discussion turns to Joseph Stalin and his relationship with the legacy of Leninism. Stalin was a more "ideologically flexible" and savvy political operator than Trotsky, who was relentlessly focused on immediate and continuous revolution. While both Lenin and Trotsky employed political violence, the terror under Stalin was a different phenomenon because much of it was directed at high-ranking members of the Communist Party and the secret police in the Great Purge. The purges were motivated by Stalin's paranoia and the need to find scapegoats for the regime's failure to deliver prosperity and freedom. The assassination of Trotsky in 1940 is often seen as wrapping up the Great Terror, though arrests and executions continued.

The focus shifts to Mao Zedong and Chinese communism, which was highly influenced by sharp anti-imperialism and xenophobia, blending the Marxist binary struggle with resentment of foreign exploitation. After Stalin's death, Mao began to "experiment," resulting in the Great Leap Forward, which aimed to rapidly "catch up and surpass the West" by radically overturning agriculture and simultaneously industrializing. This chaotic effort, including the collectivization of agriculture and communal organization, led to a vast famine that caused the deaths of tens of millions of people.

The Fall of Communism: Top-Down Collapse and the Legacy of Violence in Modern Russia Professor Sean McMeekin The final segment discusses the collapse of communist regimes in 1989, contending that these regimes generally did not fall because of a rising from the bottom. Instead, the collapse was largely top-down, driven by the disappearance of Soviet coercion or inside palace coups, such as the one that overthrew the Ceaușescus in Romania or the mutiny that lined the armed forces up behind Yeltsin in Russia. In modern Russia, there is a hybrid system that includes statism, control of media, and nostalgia for the Soviet period and Stalin's legacy as a "builder" and "conqueror," but it has jettisoned Lenin and full communism. The core thesis reaffirmed is that extreme violence is the predicate for the communist vision.

73 MinutesPG-13Thomas777 is a revisionist historian and a fiction writer.Thomas joins Pete to conclude a series examing the work of Viktor Suvorov (Vladimir Rezin) and Joachim Hoffmann who sought to prove in their books, "Icebreaker," and "Stalin's War of Extermination," that Stalin orchestrated the beginning of World War 2.Thomas' SubstackRadio Free Chicago - T777 and J BurdenThomas777 MerchandiseThomas' Buy Me a CoffeeThomas' Book "Steelstorm Pt. 1"Thomas' Book "Steelstorm Pt. 2"Thomas on TwitterThomas' CashApp - $7homas777Pete and Thomas777 'At the Movies'Support Pete on His WebsitePete's PatreonPete's SubstackPete's SubscribestarPete's GUMROADPete's VenmoPete's Buy Me a CoffeePete on FacebookPete on TwitterBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-pete-quinones-show--6071361/support.