Podcasts about Prague Spring

News; interview with the programme director of Prague Spring music festival; Czech cavers navigate country's longest underground traverse in Moravia; Variety journalist Steven Gaydos remembers the late Jiří Bartoška.

News; interview with the programme director of Prague Spring music festival; Czech cavers navigate country's longest underground traverse in Moravia; Variety journalist Steven Gaydos remembers the late Jiří Bartoška.

Katarina Gephardt, editor of the compendium "Home and the World in Slovak Writing", presented the method of focusing on historical events - such as the condemnation of Stalin's personality cult, the Prague Spring and the Velvet Revolution - that have shaped the Slovak literary canon. Senior radio editor and producer Tomas Bartonek talks about the "Golden Fond" project, in which public radio is reviving the results of the "hay day" of radio play production in Slovakia. Cultural tips for Febiofest IFF, Moyzes Quartet concert, innovative display of traditional wirework and more.

Katarina Gephardt, editor of the compendium "Home and the World in Slovak Writing", presented the method of focusing on historical events - such as the condemnation of Stalin's personality cult, the Prague Spring and the Velvet Revolution - that have shaped the Slovak literary canon. Senior radio editor and producer Tomas Bartonek talks about the "Golden Fond" project, in which public radio is reviving the results of the "hay day" of radio play production in Slovakia. Cultural tips for Febiofest IFF, Moyzes Quartet concert, innovative display of traditional wirework and more.

Nick talks to the author & reporter John Sweeney who is on the ground in KyivNick Cohen and John Sweeney discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the implications of Donald Trump's apparent betrayal of Ukraine - as further revealed by the despicable ambush by Donald Trump & his side kick vice-president J.D.Vance.Trump is now "Leader of the unfree world "John Sweeney talks to Nick about the current situation in Ukraine and compares the current situation there to previous historical events such as to the Hungarian uprising in 1956 and the Prague Spring in 1968. John expresses his deep concern about the betrayal of America's support for Russia. John, who is currently based in Kyiv, shared his observations about the Ukrainian people's resilience and unity behind President Zelenskyy. They also discussed the postponement of elections in Ukraine, drawing parallels with Britain's decision not to hold elections during World War 2. They discuss focus the alarming support of Russia by Trump, now touted as the leader of the "unfree world."Ukraine's growing and under-estimated military prowessJohn talks about Russia's invasion & the potential influence of Russian interference in the US political system, as well as the potential for peace talks and the role of the United States under Trump's leadership.They discuss current geopolitical situation, the potential consequences of Trump's actions, and the resilience of Ukraine in the face of adversity. John also talks of the My Room Clinic with Ukrainian soldiers, the effectiveness of Ukraine's jamming of Russia's glide bomb. Ukraine has made astonishing advances in drone technology- producing approximately 2 million a year and is stockpiling Patriot missiles for future use against potential Russian attacks. Fearing the worst of Trump and his relish for appeasement, President Biden managed to provide huge amounts of military aid before he left office.What does Putin have on Trump?John discusses the revelations and allegations of the so-called Steele dossier - compiled by former Mi6 Moscow desk chief Christopher Steele - and whether the Kremlin has blackmailed Trump into doing its bidding. John says he investigated what turn out to be - so far, at least - unsubstantiated rumours that a Putin ex-mistress later rocked up at Trump Tower where she shacked up with Trump.Read all about itJohn is a distinguished broadcaster and author. His latest book is Murder in the Gulag the explosive account of how Putin poisoned Alexei Navalny. Another of John's most recent must reads is best-seller on Putin, The Killer in the Kremlin, published by Headline Press.Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we discussed the thought of one of 20th-century Marxism's socialist opponents, Tomáš Masaryk. Masaryk was reviled by Czech communists until they appropriated him and he was an opponent of capitalism until the champions of capitalism did the same. He was a social democrat with an ethical and Christian-humanist vision of socialism that inspired the Prague Spring but was later coopted by the opponents of the working class and human liberation. A State without Suicidehttps://www.commonwealmagazine.org/state-without-suicide Betts, R. R. “Masaryk's Philosophy of History.” The Slavonic and East European Review 26, no. 66 (1947): 30–43. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4203912.Kohak, Erazim. “T. G. Masaryk's Revision of Marxism.” Journal of the History of Ideas 25, no. 4 (1964): 519–42. https://doi.org/10.2307/2708184. Kovác, Dusan. "World Revolution — Tomás Garrigue Masaryk and Vladimir Ilyich Lenin" Human Affairs 1, no. 1 (1991): 22-29. https://doi.org/10.1515/humaff-1991-010105Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, and Karel Čapek. Talks with T.G. Masaryk. Catbird Press, 1995.Winters, Stanley B, Robert B Pynsent, and Harry Hanak. T.G. Masaryk (1850-1937).: Thinker and Critic. Palgrave Macmillan , 1989.Send us a textSupport the show

   From Refugee to James Bond Star: Anika PavelIn this powerful episode of Her Story, Her Impact, we have the privilege of speaking with Anika Pavel, a woman whose journey from refugee to James Bond star is nothing short of inspiring. Born Jarmila Kocvarova in the historic town of Trnava, Czechoslovakia, Anika's remarkable story speaks to the strength of the human spirit, the courage to overcome unimaginable challenges, and the transformative power of resilience. As an actress and model, she has defied the odds to carve out a place for herself in an industry that demands nothing less than excellence. In addition to her success in the entertainment world, Anika has recently authored a captivating book, Encounter with the Future, where she shares her personal reflections and the lessons she's learned on her journey. Join us as we dive deep into Anika's extraordinary life and hear firsthand how she turned adversity into triumph, proving that with grit and determination, anything is possible.Anika Pavel, a name that resonates with courage, talent, and an unwavering spirit, is more than just an actress and model. Born Jarmila Kocvarova in the historic town of Trnava, Czechoslovakia, Anika's life story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of transformation. Today, she continues to inspire audiences through her work as an author, reflecting on her extraordinary life experiences, from surviving political turmoil to gracing Hollywood screens and now crafting thought-provoking literature.Anika Pavel's journey began in Communist Czechoslovakia, a land rich in history but marred by oppression. Trnava, her birthplace, is often called “Little Rome” for its historic churches and cultural significance. Despite her deep-rooted pride in her Slovak heritage, Anika's life took a dramatic turn when the Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia in 1968, putting an abrupt end to the Prague Spring. What was supposed to be a one-year stint as an au pair in England transformed her into a refugee, severing her ties with her homeland and catapulting her into an unknown future.Life as an immigrant in England wasn't easy, but it became a crash course in resilience. From London to Hong Kong, Monte Carlo, and eventually the United States, Anika's life spanned continents, each chapter enriching her perspective and broadening her horizons. In London, she began her career as a model and actress, taking on roles in iconic productions such as The Spy Who Loved Me, The Golden Lady, and Confessions of a Window Cleaner. She also made a memorable appearance in The Benny Hill Show. Her Hollywood experiences gave her a taste of glamour and fame, but they also served as a prelude to her next transformation.After years of modeling and acting, Anika's life took another significant turn—one that brought her closer to her first love: writing. While juggling responsibilities as a mother and a passionate fundraiser for causes like cancer research and women's rights, Anika rediscovered her voice through writing. Her essays, steeped in her life's trials and triumphs, have been published in various magazines and online platforms. Her piece “Encounter with the Future,” nominated for the prestigious Pushcart Prize, showcases her talent for weaving deeply personal stories with universal themes.Anika's latest achievement, her book Encounter with the Future, is a compelling collection of essays and children's stories that delve into the human spirit's strength and resilience. Drawing from her rich life experiences, Anika reflects on her journey from a young girl behind the Iron Curtain to a Bond girl, a globe-trotter, and finally, a writer. Her stories explore themes of adaptability, perseverance, and the invaluable lessons imparted by her mother—especially the importance of education and the courage to embrace change.The book is more than just a memoir; it's a window into a life shaped by historical upheavals, personal growth, and the enduring power of storytelling. Through Encounter with the Future, Anika takes readers on a journey across continents, cultures, and eras, offering a unique blend of historical insights and deeply personal narratives. It's a celebration of human resilience and the belief that every setback is a setup for a greater comeback.Anika Pavel's book is a testament to her incredible life and a source of inspiration for anyone navigating challenges and seeking hope. Her stories remind readers of the strength of adaptability, the power of education, and the importance of embracing life's unpredictable twists and turns. Whether you're drawn to her Hollywood tales, her experiences as a refugee, or her reflections on Slovak heritage, Encounter with the Future is a book that resonates on many levels.For fans of historical memoirs, personal development, or simply great storytelling, Anika Pavel's journey offers a profound and moving experience. Visit her website, www.anikapavel.com, to learn more about her inspiring work and secure your copy of Encounter with the Future.Step into the extraordinary life of Anika Pavel, and let her stories inspire you to embrace your own journey with courage and optimism.Also read: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Worldwide: The ABWCI StoryFrom a Historic Homeland to a Life of TurmoilA Journey Across ContinentsFrom Screen to PenThe Birth of Encounter with the FutureWhy You Should Read Encounter with the Future

In this episode, host Andrea Talabér (CEU Press) sat down with Andrea Chandler to talk about her new book with CEU Press, Canada and Eastern Europe, 1945–1991: Meeting in the Middle. In the podcast we talked about why the relations between Canada and the countries of the Eastern bloc have so far been underreseached, about the large Central and Eastern European diaspora in Canada and their role in shaping foreign policy, and also about Canada's reaction to the 1956 revolution in Hungary and the 1968 Prague Spring. You can purchase a physical copy here. The CEU Press Podcast delves into various aspects of the publishing process: from crafting a book proposal, finding a publisher, responding to peer review feedback on the manuscript, to the subsequent distribution, promotion and marketing of academic books. We also talk to series editors and authors, who will share their experiences of getting published and discuss their series or books. Interested in CEU Press's publications? Click here to find out more: https://ceupress.com/  Stay tuned for future episodes and subscribe to our podcast to be the first to be notified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In this episode, host Andrea Talabér (CEU Press) sat down with Andrea Chandler to talk about her new book with CEU Press, Canada and Eastern Europe, 1945–1991: Meeting in the Middle. In the podcast we talked about why the relations between Canada and the countries of the Eastern bloc have so far been underreseached, about the large Central and Eastern European diaspora in Canada and their role in shaping foreign policy, and also about Canada's reaction to the 1956 revolution in Hungary and the 1968 Prague Spring. You can purchase a physical copy here. The CEU Press Podcast delves into various aspects of the publishing process: from crafting a book proposal, finding a publisher, responding to peer review feedback on the manuscript, to the subsequent distribution, promotion and marketing of academic books. We also talk to series editors and authors, who will share their experiences of getting published and discuss their series or books. Interested in CEU Press's publications? Click here to find out more: https://ceupress.com/  Stay tuned for future episodes and subscribe to our podcast to be the first to be notified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

In this episode, host Andrea Talabér (CEU Press) sat down with Andrea Chandler to talk about her new book with CEU Press, Canada and Eastern Europe, 1945–1991: Meeting in the Middle. In the podcast we talked about why the relations between Canada and the countries of the Eastern bloc have so far been underreseached, about the large Central and Eastern European diaspora in Canada and their role in shaping foreign policy, and also about Canada's reaction to the 1956 revolution in Hungary and the 1968 Prague Spring. You can purchase a physical copy here. The CEU Press Podcast delves into various aspects of the publishing process: from crafting a book proposal, finding a publisher, responding to peer review feedback on the manuscript, to the subsequent distribution, promotion and marketing of academic books. We also talk to series editors and authors, who will share their experiences of getting published and discuss their series or books. Interested in CEU Press's publications? Click here to find out more: https://ceupress.com/  Stay tuned for future episodes and subscribe to our podcast to be the first to be notified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/russian-studies

In this episode, host Andrea Talabér (CEU Press) sat down with Andrea Chandler to talk about her new book with CEU Press, Canada and Eastern Europe, 1945–1991: Meeting in the Middle. In the podcast we talked about why the relations between Canada and the countries of the Eastern bloc have so far been underreseached, about the large Central and Eastern European diaspora in Canada and their role in shaping foreign policy, and also about Canada's reaction to the 1956 revolution in Hungary and the 1968 Prague Spring. You can purchase a physical copy here. The CEU Press Podcast delves into various aspects of the publishing process: from crafting a book proposal, finding a publisher, responding to peer review feedback on the manuscript, to the subsequent distribution, promotion and marketing of academic books. We also talk to series editors and authors, who will share their experiences of getting published and discuss their series or books. Interested in CEU Press's publications? Click here to find out more: https://ceupress.com/  Stay tuned for future episodes and subscribe to our podcast to be the first to be notified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, host Andrea Talabér (CEU Press) sat down with Andrea Chandler to talk about her new book with CEU Press, Canada and Eastern Europe, 1945–1991: Meeting in the Middle. In the podcast we talked about why the relations between Canada and the countries of the Eastern bloc have so far been underreseached, about the large Central and Eastern European diaspora in Canada and their role in shaping foreign policy, and also about Canada's reaction to the 1956 revolution in Hungary and the 1968 Prague Spring. You can purchase a physical copy here. The CEU Press Podcast delves into various aspects of the publishing process: from crafting a book proposal, finding a publisher, responding to peer review feedback on the manuscript, to the subsequent distribution, promotion and marketing of academic books. We also talk to series editors and authors, who will share their experiences of getting published and discuss their series or books. Interested in CEU Press's publications? Click here to find out more: https://ceupress.com/  Stay tuned for future episodes and subscribe to our podcast to be the first to be notified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, host Andrea Talabér (CEU Press) sat down with Andrea Chandler to talk about her new book with CEU Press, Canada and Eastern Europe, 1945–1991: Meeting in the Middle. In the podcast we talked about why the relations between Canada and the countries of the Eastern bloc have so far been underreseached, about the large Central and Eastern European diaspora in Canada and their role in shaping foreign policy, and also about Canada's reaction to the 1956 revolution in Hungary and the 1968 Prague Spring. You can purchase a physical copy here. The CEU Press Podcast delves into various aspects of the publishing process: from crafting a book proposal, finding a publisher, responding to peer review feedback on the manuscript, to the subsequent distribution, promotion and marketing of academic books. We also talk to series editors and authors, who will share their experiences of getting published and discuss their series or books. Interested in CEU Press's publications? Click here to find out more: https://ceupress.com/  Stay tuned for future episodes and subscribe to our podcast to be the first to be notified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What says “Merry Christmas” more than a sexy tale of infidelity and alienation set against the backdrop of soviet invasion and oppression?  In the Criterion Collection?  Not much. Join us as we discuss Phillip Kaufman's adaptation of Milan Kundera's novel of Prague Spring and its aftermath, starring some distractingly beautiful people. Join the Random Acts of Cinema Discord server here! *Come support the podcast and get yourself or someone you love a random gift at our merch store.  T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, stickers, and more! If you'd like to watch ahead for next week's film, we will be discussing and reviewing Nobuhiko Obayashi's House (1977).

A compelling cinematic adaptation of an academic study of social justice movements.SUPPORT THE SHOW: PATREONFOLLOW THE SHOW: INSTAGRAM // TWITTER // TIKTOK // YOUTUBEEMAIL THE SHOW: abreathoffreshmovie@gmail.com  SHOP THE SHOW: TEE PUBLIC 

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 Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces. Discover how these geopolitical events impacted clubs like Celtic, the Milan clubs, and Real Madrid, and the unprecedented decisions UEFA had to make. This episode is a gripping tale of football, politics, and the power struggles that shaped the beautiful game. Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode370 Craig's excellent blog https://beyondthelastman.com/ All our Cold War Sport episodes in one convenient playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2OoAtLN7sHYdCgCNhms1Kl?si=da05732a422a41f8   The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You'll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you'll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Continuing what has become a series on Czechoslovak Socialism, we dive into the attempt to reform the Czechoslovak system. The official ML narrative and the liberal narrative about the Prague Spring are the same, they say that it was an attempt to re-establish bourgeois democracy. However, it seems clear that the intentions of its participants were the opposite. They appear to have been a genuine attempt to revitalize and push forward the communist project. The Action Programme of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakiahttps://www.marxists.org/subject/czech/1968/action-programme.htmStoneman, Anna J. “Socialism With a Human Face: The Leadership and Legacy of the Prague Spring.” The History Teacher49, no. 1 (2015): 103–25. Prague Spring Archive at MIA (worth browsing for historical first impressions)https://www.marxists.org/subject/czech/index.htmThe Prague Spring of 1968: a glimpse of socialism?http://isj.org.uk/the-prague-spring/Liehm, A. J. (1978). The Prague Spring and Eurocommunism. International Journal, 33(4), 804. doi:10.2307/40201691Skilling, H. Gordon. "The Prague Spring Reassessed." Slavic Review 38, no. 4 (1979): 663-66. doi:10.2307/2496570.Reform and Counter-reform in Bureaucratic Powerhttps://www.cddc.vt.edu/sionline/si/reform.htmlMusic: Karel Kryl - Veličenstvo kat(English Translation)In a gloomy light of a gothic hallthe scared profiteers are gazing into their missalsand a horde of slayers is asking for blessingAfter all the first of the knights is his majesty executionerAaah look the first of the knights is his Majesty ExecutionerPriest – the devil who served the massis wearing a stole made from a hangmans slopeHaving a bottle of vitriol under the purple rochetThe smell of sulfur coming from the mortarsis crawling under the red hood of the first from all the knightshis Majesty ExecutionerAaah to the first of knights look it is his Majesty ExecutionerOn the national flag there isan emblem with guillotineAnd the barbed wiresmells by something decayedIn our region is a flock of raven nestingthe master hangman reigns these peopleThe king is kneeing infront of Sataneagers to have the sceptreAnd the rabble is hanging the wise councilat the plane treeAnd the heretic crowd is exhilarated and rejoicesAfter all the first of knights is his Majesty ExecutionerAaah the first of knights is his Majesty ExecutionerAt a streetcorner a murderer is holding a lecture about moralInfront of the prison's door the guardians are walkingFrom the military armour plate the black sign proclaimsthat the first of the knights is his Majesty ExecutionerAaah that the first of the knights is his Majesty ExecutionerOver the government palacerises the flag with guillotineThe children love the ice cream cornetsThe judges were upset about themso they killed their ice cream manA horrible state it was,as you had to watchthe writing beeing forbiddenand the singing beeing forbiddenAnd they didn't have enoughthey commanded the kidsto praSend us a textSupport the show

Rivky sits down with author Anika Pavel to talk about her life. She shares what it was like growing up under communism and how she was able to get out, why she doesn't believe in age when you're too young or too old and why she wanted to write a book you could easily put down. ANIKA PAVEL was born Jarmila Kocvarova in Czechoslovakia. What was intended as a one-year stay in England turned her into a refugee when the Soviet Union invaded her homeland, writing a bloody end to the Prague Spring. She received a crash course in life that took her from sleeping in a telephone booth at the Victoria railway station in London to waitressing, to the lights of the fashion runway, and on to magazine covers, even a James Bond appearance, under the more pronounceable moniker, Anika Pavel. When the lights had dimmed, she returned to her first love, writing. Her work has been published in print, online and nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Anikapavel.com  Click here to book your private in studio shopping appointment. Click here to see the Impact Fashion collection. Click here to get an Impact Fashion Gift Card Click here to get the Am Yisrael Chai crewneck. Click here to join the Impact Fashion Whatsapp Status Click here to take a short survey about this podcast and get a 10% off coupon code as my thanks

Story 209.4 - The Prague Spring part four August 1968. Czechoslovakia is enjoying a period of political liberalisation. Alexander Dubček is trying to secure his country greater liberties, but it will come at a cost. When the TARDIS brings the Doctor and Kim-Ly to Prague, this freedom is nearly at an end, and the travellers are able to see life on the cusp of the Soviet invasion. Married couple Ludvik and Jozka want to play music and raise their daughter, but the threat of conflict is forcing them to decide how far they will go to keep their family safe. Hapless diplomat Alistair wants to make a difference, but his boss, Valentine, refuses to intervene, and he's worried that the woman he loves is getting involved in dangerous matters. But it isn't only the advance of the Red Army that they have to worry about: the alien Koe-Maw are also visiting Prague, and the Doctor wonders whether their promise of salvation is all it seems. As a dark day approaches, can the Doctor and Kim-Ly keep the Czech people from making a cataclysmic mistake that would change the fate of not only the Prague Spring, but of the entire world?

“Freedom is closely linked to unpredictability,” said Yale Historian Timothy Snyder at a Prague conference titled Borders of (Un)Freedom. The conference, organized by Czech Radio and Václav Havel Library, began with live recordings of the podcasts Error of the System (Chyba systému), which focused on the growth of the far right, and To the East! and Rewrite History (Na Východ! a Přepište dějiny), which focused on the crushing of the Prague Spring.

Story 209.3 - The Prague Spring part three August 1968. Czechoslovakia is enjoying a period of political liberalisation. Alexander Dubček is trying to secure his country greater liberties, but it will come at a cost. When the TARDIS brings the Doctor and Kim-Ly to Prague, this freedom is nearly at an end, and the travellers are able to see life on the cusp of the Soviet invasion. Married couple Ludvik and Jozka want to play music and raise their daughter, but the threat of conflict is forcing them to decide how far they will go to keep their family safe. Hapless diplomat Alistair wants to make a difference, but his boss, Valentine, refuses to intervene, and he's worried that the woman he loves is getting involved in dangerous matters. But it isn't only the advance of the Red Army that they have to worry about: the alien Koe-Maw are also visiting Prague, and the Doctor wonders whether their promise of salvation is all it seems. As a dark day approaches, can the Doctor and Kim-Ly keep the Czech people from making a cataclysmic mistake that would change the fate of not only the Prague Spring, but of the entire world?

Story 209.2 - The Prague Spring part one August 1968. Czechoslovakia is enjoying a period of political liberalisation. Alexander Dubček is trying to secure his country greater liberties, but it will come at a cost. When the TARDIS brings the Doctor and Kim-Ly to Prague, this freedom is nearly at an end, and the travellers are able to see life on the cusp of the Soviet invasion Married couple Ludvik and Jozka want to play music and raise their daughter, but the threat of conflict is forcing them to decide how far they will go to keep their family safe. Hapless diplomat Alistair wants to make a difference, but his boss, Valentine, refuses to intervene, and he's worried that the woman he loves is getting involved in dangerous matters. But it isn't only the advance of the Red Army that they have to worry about: the alien Koe-Maw are also visiting Prague, and the Doctor wonders whether their promise of salvation is all it seems. As a dark day approaches, can the Doctor and Kim-Ly keep the Czech people from making a cataclysmic mistake that would change the fate of not only the Prague Spring, but of the entire world?

Story 209.1 - The Prague Spring part one August 1968. Czechoslovakia is enjoying a period of political liberalisation. Alexander Dubček is trying to secure his country greater liberties, but it will come at a cost. When the TARDIS brings the Doctor and Kim-Ly to Prague, this freedom is nearly at an end, and the travellers are able to see life on the cusp of the Soviet invasion Married couple Ludvik and Jozka want to play music and raise their daughter, but the threat of conflict is forcing them to decide how far they will go to keep their family safe. Hapless diplomat Alistair wants to make a difference, but his boss, Valentine, refuses to intervene, and he's worried that the woman he loves is getting involved in dangerous matters. But it isn't only the advance of the Red Army that they have to worry about: the alien Koe-Maw are also visiting Prague, and the Doctor wonders whether their promise of salvation is all it seems. As a dark day approaches, can the Doctor and Kim-Ly keep the Czech people from making a cataclysmic mistake that would change the fate of not only the Prague Spring, but of the entire world?

News; NATO meeting of foreign ministers; Prague Spring to host unique concert for 50 pianos; Interview with Civic Democratic Party EP election candidate Ondřej Krutílek

August 1968. Czechoslovakia is enjoying a period of political liberalisation. Alexander Dubček is trying to secure his country greater liberties, but it will come at a cost. When the TARDIS brings the Doctor and Kim-Ly to Prague, this freedom is nearly at an end, and the travellers are able to see life on the cusp of the Soviet invasion.  Married couple Ludvik and Jozka want to play music and raise their daughter, but the threat of conflict is forcing them to decide how far they will go to keep their family safe. Hapless diplomat Alistair wants to make a difference, but his boss, Valentine, refuses to intervene, and he's worried that the woman he loves is getting involved in dangerous matters.  But it isn't only the advance of the Red Army that they have to worry about: the alien Koe-Maw are also visiting Prague, and the Doctor wonders whether their promise of salvation is all it seems. As a dark day approaches, can the Doctor and Kim-Ly keep the Czech people from making a cataclysmic mistake that would change the fate of not only the Prague Spring, but of the entire world?

News; debut directors, Geoffrey Rush and “Pig Slaughter” set for Karlovy Vary film festival; concert performance of Libuše to mark Smetana's 200th anniversary at Prague Spring festival; interview with Mayors and Independents EP election leader Danuše Nerudová

At the end of the show a question from Neil. Recommendations: Stuart The Richard Burton Diaries - Book Chris Williams (editor), Richard Burton (author) Irresistibly magnetic on stage, mesmerizing in movies, seven times an Academy Award nominee, Richard Burton rose from humble beginnings in Wales to become Hollywood's most highly paid actor and one of England's most admired Shakespearean performers. His epic romance with Elizabeth Taylor, his legendary drinking and story-telling, his dazzling purchases (enormous diamonds, a jet, homes on several continents), and his enormous talent kept him constantly in the public eye. Yet the man behind the celebrity façade carried a surprising burden of insecurity and struggled with the peculiar challenges of a life lived largely in the spotlight. This volume publishes Burton's extensive personal diaries in their entirety for the first time. His writings encompass many years—from 1939, when he was still a teenager, to 1983, the year before his death—and they reveal him in his most private moments, pondering his triumphs and demons, his loves and his heartbreaks. The diary entries appear in their original sequence, with annotations to clarify people, places, books, and events Burton mentions. From these hand-written pages emerges a multi-dimensional man, no mere flashy celebrity. While Burton touched shoulders with shining lights—among them Olivia de Havilland, John Gielgud, Claire Bloom, Laurence Olivier, John Huston, Dylan Thomas, and Edward Albee—he also played the real-life roles of supportive family man, father, husband, and highly intelligent observer. His diaries offer a rare and fresh perspective on his own life and career, and on the glamorous decades of the mid-twentieth century. Eamonn Less: Stop Buying So Much Rubbish: How Having Fewer, Better Things Can Make Us Happier - Book Patrick Grant We used to care a lot about our clothes. We didn't have many but those we had were important to us. We'd cherish them, repair them and pass them on. And making them provided fulfilling work for millions of skilled people locally. Today the average person has nearly five times as many clothes as they did just 50 years ago. Last year, 100 billion garments were produced worldwide, most made from oil, 30% of which were not even sold, and the equivalent of one bin lorry full of clothing is dumped in landfill or burned every single second. Our wardrobes are full to bursting with clothes we never wear so why do we keep buying more? In this passionate and revealing book about loving clothes but despairing of a broken global system Patrick Grant considers the crisis of consumption and quality in fashion, and how we might make ourselves happier by rediscovering the joy of living with fewer, better-quality things. David Watch Koudelka: Shooting Holy Land - Documentary Josef Koudelka Josef Koudelka is a fiercely independent artist. Branded an exile, stateless for many years after the end of the Prague Spring, photography is for him a powerful act that shows both humanity and its unsettling strangeness. His images are imbued with bohemian freedom and a dull, inhospitable promise. So when he was asked to go and photograph in Israel, the fear of being politically exploited, the fact of having to accept his designated young guide (to control him? he wondered)... mistrust almost won out. It was overcome by a mixture of rejection of "the wall" and attraction for this symbolic land. He simply insisted on paying for his own plane ticket, so as not to owe anything to anyone. What happened next, between him and his young guide Gilad Baram, is a truly romantic story. A friendship was born between the old photographer and the young filmmaker. Gilad Baram had the intelligence to turn these moments into a magnificent film, adopting the right distance and documenting the work of this demanding photographer.

Do you want to get that 5?  Enter code “GO4FIVE” at checkout for 25% OFF the Lyndeurozone Online Resources! Online access expires June 15th, 2024. In this episode we look at the concept of “Detente,” Brezhnev Doctrine, Prague Spring, and the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan and examine how increased military spending will weaken the Soviet Union's economy. Lyndeurozone.com  Patreon If you use this podcast regularly would you please consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as a dollar a month?  The Euro Simplified Podcast has no advertising revenue and is produced by a public school teacher.  We love and appreciate our supporters on Patreon as our supporters help us meet the costs associated with the production of this free resource for students. Episodes will be released on the following schedule: Unit 1 and Unit 2 - August/September Unit 3: October Unit 4: November Unit 5: November and December Unit 6: January Unit 7: Late January & February Unit 8 : March Unit 9: April   If you have any questions you can contact Robert Lynde at Lyndeurozone.com.

Welcome Back! Sean and Claude took a little Spring Break and we hope you were able to do the same. For our 70th episode, we take a peek at two films that involve couples dealing with life on the other side of the Iron Curtain. Part One features The Unbearable Lightness of Being, directed by Philip Kaufman and starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Juliette Binoche and Lena Olin. In this film we have a couple who find themselves going from the Prague Spring to the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia and the events afterward. How they deal with life, love and the things that are thrown their way, you'll find quite touching. In Part Two, we'll look at a rather star-crossed couple that finds itself on opposite sides of many different lines, in 2018's Cold War. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wordsandmovies/support

Within just a few years of Stalin's death in 1953, the Soviet Union had sent the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, into orbit. An era of renewal and excitement beckoned. Speaking to Danny Bird, Robert Hornsby tells the story of how Soviet society embraced the 1960s – from new prospects for women, to faith in the energy of the young – before the era's promise was snuffed out by the Prague Spring of 1968. (Ad) Robert Hornsby is the author of The Soviet Sixties (Yale University Press, 2023). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Soviet-Sixties-Robert-Hornsby/dp/0300250525/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The familiar story of Soviet power in Cold War Eastern Europe focuses on political repression and military force. But in Empire of Friends: Soviet Power and Socialist Internationalism in Cold War Czechoslovakia (Cornell University Press, 2019), Rachel Applebaum shows how the Soviet Union simultaneously promoted a policy of transnational friendship with its Eastern Bloc satellites to create a cohesive socialist world. This friendship project resulted in a new type of imperial control based on cross-border contacts between ordinary citizens. In a new and fascinating story of cultural diplomacy, interpersonal relations, and the trade of consumer-goods, Applebaum tracks the rise and fall of the friendship project in Czechoslovakia, as the country evolved after World War II from the Soviet Union's most loyal satellite to its most rebellious. Throughout Eastern Europe, the friendship project shaped the most intimate aspects of people's lives, influencing everything from what they wore to where they traveled to whom they married. Applebaum argues that in Czechoslovakia, socialist friendship was surprisingly durable, capable of surviving the ravages of Stalinism and the Soviet invasion that crushed the 1968 Prague Spring. Eventually, the project became so successful that it undermined the very alliance it was designed to support: as Soviets and Czechoslovaks got to know one another, they discovered important cultural and political differences that contradicted propaganda about a cohesive socialist world. Empire of Friends reveals that the sphere of everyday life was central to the construction of the transnational socialist system in Eastern Europe―and, ultimately, its collapse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The familiar story of Soviet power in Cold War Eastern Europe focuses on political repression and military force. But in Empire of Friends: Soviet Power and Socialist Internationalism in Cold War Czechoslovakia (Cornell University Press, 2019), Rachel Applebaum shows how the Soviet Union simultaneously promoted a policy of transnational friendship with its Eastern Bloc satellites to create a cohesive socialist world. This friendship project resulted in a new type of imperial control based on cross-border contacts between ordinary citizens. In a new and fascinating story of cultural diplomacy, interpersonal relations, and the trade of consumer-goods, Applebaum tracks the rise and fall of the friendship project in Czechoslovakia, as the country evolved after World War II from the Soviet Union's most loyal satellite to its most rebellious. Throughout Eastern Europe, the friendship project shaped the most intimate aspects of people's lives, influencing everything from what they wore to where they traveled to whom they married. Applebaum argues that in Czechoslovakia, socialist friendship was surprisingly durable, capable of surviving the ravages of Stalinism and the Soviet invasion that crushed the 1968 Prague Spring. Eventually, the project became so successful that it undermined the very alliance it was designed to support: as Soviets and Czechoslovaks got to know one another, they discovered important cultural and political differences that contradicted propaganda about a cohesive socialist world. Empire of Friends reveals that the sphere of everyday life was central to the construction of the transnational socialist system in Eastern Europe―and, ultimately, its collapse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

The familiar story of Soviet power in Cold War Eastern Europe focuses on political repression and military force. But in Empire of Friends: Soviet Power and Socialist Internationalism in Cold War Czechoslovakia (Cornell University Press, 2019), Rachel Applebaum shows how the Soviet Union simultaneously promoted a policy of transnational friendship with its Eastern Bloc satellites to create a cohesive socialist world. This friendship project resulted in a new type of imperial control based on cross-border contacts between ordinary citizens. In a new and fascinating story of cultural diplomacy, interpersonal relations, and the trade of consumer-goods, Applebaum tracks the rise and fall of the friendship project in Czechoslovakia, as the country evolved after World War II from the Soviet Union's most loyal satellite to its most rebellious. Throughout Eastern Europe, the friendship project shaped the most intimate aspects of people's lives, influencing everything from what they wore to where they traveled to whom they married. Applebaum argues that in Czechoslovakia, socialist friendship was surprisingly durable, capable of surviving the ravages of Stalinism and the Soviet invasion that crushed the 1968 Prague Spring. Eventually, the project became so successful that it undermined the very alliance it was designed to support: as Soviets and Czechoslovaks got to know one another, they discovered important cultural and political differences that contradicted propaganda about a cohesive socialist world. Empire of Friends reveals that the sphere of everyday life was central to the construction of the transnational socialist system in Eastern Europe―and, ultimately, its collapse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/russian-studies

The familiar story of Soviet power in Cold War Eastern Europe focuses on political repression and military force. But in Empire of Friends: Soviet Power and Socialist Internationalism in Cold War Czechoslovakia (Cornell University Press, 2019), Rachel Applebaum shows how the Soviet Union simultaneously promoted a policy of transnational friendship with its Eastern Bloc satellites to create a cohesive socialist world. This friendship project resulted in a new type of imperial control based on cross-border contacts between ordinary citizens. In a new and fascinating story of cultural diplomacy, interpersonal relations, and the trade of consumer-goods, Applebaum tracks the rise and fall of the friendship project in Czechoslovakia, as the country evolved after World War II from the Soviet Union's most loyal satellite to its most rebellious. Throughout Eastern Europe, the friendship project shaped the most intimate aspects of people's lives, influencing everything from what they wore to where they traveled to whom they married. Applebaum argues that in Czechoslovakia, socialist friendship was surprisingly durable, capable of surviving the ravages of Stalinism and the Soviet invasion that crushed the 1968 Prague Spring. Eventually, the project became so successful that it undermined the very alliance it was designed to support: as Soviets and Czechoslovaks got to know one another, they discovered important cultural and political differences that contradicted propaganda about a cohesive socialist world. Empire of Friends reveals that the sphere of everyday life was central to the construction of the transnational socialist system in Eastern Europe―and, ultimately, its collapse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey everyone, here's the result of our first book club choice; as many of you pointed out this was a great choice to start with. I don't know if we're going to be able to be this in-depth with other books, so this format will probably change over time. Gotta start somewhere though, and I think this is a great way to deep dive into some of the history that is becoming important to understand a bit more clearly.Here's the youtube link for those that prefer that platform: https://youtu.be/XPbmbcZ0G6w00:00 - Introduction 02:11 - The Author and Sources 07:31 - Preface 08:43 - Breaking American Ciphers - And Starting a War 10:04 - Two Views of Culture 12:31 - Target: The American Embassy 16:48 - Inside a Deadly Purge 22:18 - Into Foreign Intelligence - And England 28:59 - A Mole and a Tunnel 33:54 - "Why Do You Need All Those People Here?" 36:10 - A Unique Look at the Hungarian Revolution 36:28 - Spy Center Vienna 36:54 - The KGB's Nazl Underground 38:46 - Richard Sorge Redux 39:55 - Organizing to Disinform 41:22 - Active Measures 43:27 - "How Could CIA Ever Have Believed in Than Man?" 47:54 - The Top Hat Paradox 49:47 - Prague Spring at the Politburo 50:26 - Other Places 51:08 - The Irony of Helsinki and Watching it End 51:44 - Epilogue and Appendix 52:50 - Closing Thoughts and Comments  Notes and Corrections: *16:09 - Not American, he was Swedish.

The East German uprising of 1953 began as a series of strikes and protests at living standards; it soon turned political, with town halls being stormed amid vocal demands for German reunification. The Soviets had to intervene with military force to quell the rebellion. On August 20, 1968, the Soviet Union led Warsaw Pact troops in an invasion of Czechoslovakia to crack down on reformist trends in Prague, thereby ending the Prague Spring which had started in January of 1968.

Agnieszka Holland is perhaps best known for her films Europa Europa, Angry Harvest and In Darkness, as well as adaptations of The Secret Garden and Washington Square. Her latest film, Green Border, about the Syrian refugee crisis along Poland's border with Belarus, is having its North American premiere at TIFF. In 2013, she spoke to Eleanor Wachtel about her three-part series, Burning Bush, set during the Prague Spring. *This episode originally aired Dec. 17, 2013.

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A new Russian history textbook for 11th graders announced earlier this summer, “The History of Russia, 1945 to the Start of the 21st Century,” has almost 30 pages devoted directly to explaining and especially to justifying the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The whole textbook is 448 pages: There are 264 pages covering the post-war Soviet period, 48 pages about Russia in the 1990s, and 94 pages about the Putin era. Vladimir Putin's name appears on about 40 different pages (sometimes more than once), while Stalin and Stalinism show up on nearly 60 pages. The Special Military Operation chapter concludes with this whopper of a paragraph: “But one this is clear: That Russia has always had, has, and will have the valor, dignity, honor, and loyalty to oath of our soldiers and volunteer fighters, doctors, teachers, builders, and aid workers. They are the true, not invented, heroes of our time. They're around us and among us. They are an example of honor, courage, and faith in the righteousness of our cause. Their names and their daily feats join the thousand-year annals of Russian history with the deeds of millions of their heroic forebearers. It has always been so in the history of our Motherland. And so it will be. Always.” To learn about why this textbook was written, what it says about contemporary events, and how the Putin regime intends to use it, Meduza spoke to three experts: historian Artem Efimov, who serves the editor-in-chief of Meduza's Signal newsletter, College of West Anglia historian James Pearce (author of “The Use of History in Putin's Russia”), and University of Oxford Professor Polly Jones, who's currently completing a book titled “Gulag Fiction.” Timestamps for this episode: (5:45) The textbook's authors: Vladimir Medinsky, Anatoly Torkunov, and Alexander Chubaryan (11:40) Long-standing trends in how Russian history is taught in grade schools (15:19) Guessing at Putin's thought process on a unified history textbook (23:00) Whitewashing Stalinism? (25:50) The Suez Crisis, the Berlin Crisis, the Hungarian Revolution, the Prague Spring (31:57) Teaching history to teenagersКак поддержать нашу редакцию — даже если вы в России и вам очень страшно

Chas, Christian, Rudy, and James come together to delve into a comprehensive conversation about the Prague Spring, a significant Czechoslovak reform movement. Their discussion begins by tracing the roots of Czechoslovak communism, recounting the post-World War II Communist ascension to power, and elaborating on the gradual and intricate reform drive that eventually culminated in Dubček's rise to leadership during the Prague Spring of 1968. Subsequently, they explore the ideologies championed by key reformists, analyze the factors that prompted the Soviet Union's intervention, and dissect the shortcomings of the USSR's intervention strategy. Lastly, the conversation concludes by dissecting the reformers' envisioned goals and actual accomplishments. Bibliography: G. Golan - Reform Rule in Czechoslovakia: The Dubcek Era 1968–1969 J. Krejčí - Social Change and Stratification in Postwar Czechoslovakia V. Kusin - The Intellectual Origins of the Prague Spring: The Development of Reformist Ideas in Czechoslovakia, 1956-1967 V. Kusin - From Dubcek to Charter 77: A Study of 'Normalization' in Czechoslovakia, 1968-1978 Z. Mlynář - Nightfrost in Prague: The end of humane socialism O. Šik - Czechoslovakia: The Bureaucratic Economy. I. Svitak - The Czechoslovak Experiment: 1968 - 1969 K. Williams - The Prague Spring and its Aftermath: Czechoslovak Politics, 1968-1970

I speak with author Ethan Scheiner whose book “Freedom to Win” describes the gripping story of a group of small-town young men who would lead their underdog hockey team from Czechoslovakia against the Soviet Union, the juggernaut in their sport. In 1968 Czechoslovakia is experiencing the Prague Spring, an attempt to moderate and soften communism. However, a sudden invasion by 500,000 Warsaw Pact soldiers halts the reforms. We hear the inspiring story of how the young players of the national hockey team battle the Soviets on the ice to keep their people's quest for freedom alive and forge a way to fight back against the authoritarian forces that sought to crush them. Buy the book here and support the podcast https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781639363513 Book giveaway entry info here https://coldwarconversations.com/giveaway/ The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You'll become part of our community and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you'll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Extra episode information https://coldwarconversations.com/episode298/ Prague Spring and Cold War Czechoslovakia episodes https://coldwarconversations.com/tag/czechoslovakia/ Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just like the Prague Spring, it seems clear that the intentions of its participants were the opposite. The vast majority of Czechoslovaks who participated in the movements that brought down the republic were attempting to reform the socialist system, not destroy it.Krapfl, James. Revolution with a Human Face Politics, Culture, and Community in Czechoslovakia, 1989–1992. Cornell University Press, 2017.Scott Brown. “Prelude to a Divorce? The Prague Spring as Dress Rehearsal for Czechoslovakia's ‘Velvet Divorce.'” Europe-Asia Studies 60, no. 10 (2008): 1783–1804.Krishan Kumar (1992). The Revolutions of 1989: Socialism, Capitalism, and Democracy. Theory and Society, 21(3), 309–356.Paal Sigurd Hilde (1999). Slovak Nationalism and the Break-Up of Czechoslovakia. Europe-Asia Studies, 51(4), 647–665.Head over to our Patreon and join for $2 a month to hear the whole episode and join the Discord to take part in the discussions.Support the showSupport the show

News, Prague Spring music festival interview with viola player Antoine Tamestit, work of sound effect specialists at Czech Radio, university series - accommodation

News; Government fiscal reforms discussed; start of 78th Prague Spring; Czechia's best Eurovision chance?; Czech surfers heading to first world championships.

In this episode we look at the concept of “Detente,” Brezhnev Doctrine, Prague Spring, and the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan and examine how increased military spending will weaken the Soviet Union's economy. Do you want to get that 5?  Enter code “GO4FIVE” at checkout for 25% OFF the Lyndeurozone Online Resources! Online access expires June 15th, 2023. Lyndeurozone.com  Patreon If you use this podcast regularly would you please consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as a dollar a month?  The Euro Simplified Podcast has no advertising revenue and is produced by a public school teacher.  We love and appreciate our supporters on Patreon as our supporters help us meet the costs associated with the production of this free resource for students. Episodes will be released on the following schedule: Unit 1 and Unit 2 - August/September Unit 3: October Unit 4: November Unit 5: November and December Unit 6: January Unit 7: Late January & February Unit 8 : March Unit 9: April   If you have any questions you can contact Robert Lynde at Lyndeurozone.com.   Instagram: @Lyndeurozone  

In this interview, Amy and I discuss The Foulest Things, writing a series and mysteries as a pantser, why she created the fictional Dominion Archives, incorporating art theft into her story, and much more. Amy's recommended reads are: Prague Spring by Simon Mawer Untangled by Lisa Damour My Read-Alike Request Recommendations for The Age of Dreaming by Nina Revoyr: Miss Del Rio by Barbara Mujica City of Flickering Light by Juliette Fay The Roaring Twenties Mystery series by Mary Miley Support the podcast by becoming a Page Turner on Patreon.  Other ways to support the podcast can be found here.     The Foulest Things can be purchased at my Bookshop storefront.      Ask Me Anything question for me for April's episode? Submit it here. Want to submit a Read-Alike Request for the podcast? Submit it here. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest on Vladimir Putin's call for an Orthodox Christmas ceasefire in Ukraine. Latika Bourke and Mark Lowcock discuss coronavirus tests for travellers from China, Estonia's plans to give frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, a new dynamic for the UN security council and the “nano-flat” in Shanghai where you can sit on the toilet and cook at the same time. Plus: Andrew Mueller looks back on the Prague Spring, On This Day in 1968.

This week we welcome Benjamin Cunningham to the show. Cunningham wrote the recently released book The Liar: How a Double Agent in the CIA Became the Cold War's Last Honest Man a book that the publisher calls “the Cold War meets Mad Men in the form of Karel Koecher, a double agent whose shifting loyalties and over-the-top hedonism reverberated from New York to Moscow.” It's a wild story of swapping secrets, wife swapping and spy swaps.  We talk about the Prague Spring, declassified documents, and interviewing difficult subjects. All that and more in this episode with Spybrary host Jeff Quest.

https://youtu.be/YynHmjv1hmQ After America emerged as the undisputed leader of the West in 1945, however, the shocks, reversals, and humiliations at the hands of Stalin were greater than those that had caused Britain to declare war in 1939. America, however, chose a different course. Embracing the wisdom of George Kennan, America pursued a policy of containment and conscious avoidance of a Third World War.   When Stalin trashed the Yalta agreement, terrorizing the peoples of Poland and Eastern Europe for whom Britain had gone to war, America was stunned and sickened but issued no ultimata. When Moscow blockaded Berlin in violation of Allied rights, Truman responded with an airlift, not armored divisions or atom bombs.   When Stalin's agents carried out the Prague coup in 1948, Truman did not see in Czechoslovakia an issue that justified war, as Churchill had when the Czechs were forced to give up the Sudetenland. America's answer was NATO, drawing a red line across Europe that the West could defend, as Britain should have done in that March of 1939, instead of handing out the insane war guarantee to Poland. And where the British had failed to line up a Russian alliance before giving its war guarantee, America enlisted ten European allies before committing herself to defend West Germany.   Unlike Churchill in the 1930s, American leaders of the late 1940s and 1950s believed that, while the fate of Poland and Czechoslovakia was tragic, both were beyond any U.S. vital interest. From 1949 to 1989, the American army never crossed the Yalta line. When East Germans rose in 1953 and Hungarians in 1956, Eisenhower declined to act. In 1959, Ike welcomed the “Butcher of Budapest” to Camp David. When Khrushchev built the Berlin Wall, Kennedy called up the reserves, then sent them home after a year. In the missile crisis of 1962, Kennedy cut a secret deal to take U.S. missiles out of Turkey for Khrushchev's taking Russian missiles out of Cuba. When the Prague Spring was crushed in 1968, LBJ did nothing. U.S. inaction was not due to cowardice but cold calculation as to what was worth risking war with a nuclear-armed Soviet Union and what was not worth risking war. When the Polish workers' movement, Solidarity, was crushed in 1981, Ronald Reagan denounced the repression but he neither broke diplomatic relations with Warsaw nor imposed economic sanctions.   Eisenhower and Reagan were not Chamberlains, but neither were they Churchills. Who ruled in the capitals east of the Elbe was not to them a vital U.S. interest worth a war.   – Patrick J. Buchanan, Churchill, Hitler, and the Unnecessary War p. 417-8 Article discussed: Our Greatest Strength is Liberty, Not Force by Jeffrey Wernick Kyle Anzalone on the Libertarian Institute Conflicts of Interest on Odysee Kyle Anzalone on Twitter Spotify

Yugoslavia, a state created in 1919 and recreated from the ashes of war once again in 1945 was a federation of balkan nationalities held together after World War Two by the totalitarian Leninist Josep Tito. The fact that Yugoslavia under his leadership had liberated itself and was not dominated like the rest of Eastern Europe by the Red Army, meant that its Cold War years would be fundamentally different. Yugoslavia was affected by the wave of unrest that afflicted Eastern Europe in 1968, following the crushing of the Prague Spring. The result was the energising of nationalist movements, the most vocal of which was in Croatia, which was eventually crushed by Tito. However, from 1971 to the early 1990s, nationalism, far from being extinguished, became the force that would rip Yugoslavia apart. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.