Podcasts about soviet

Sometimes life is about timing. Just as I was inquiring about the wine of an Armenian wine maker, I received an email from a gentleman thanking me for the inquiry, and that he happens to be in LA...and would love to sit for a podcast. I was floored. When Vahagn sat down and began to speak, I knew we would hit it off. He had insight and passion. And it turns out that the winemaker, Zara Muradyan is his wife. What are the odds..lol. Oxford educated with a grounded outlook on wine, we hit it off and the conversation could have gone on for hours. Vahagn Voskanyan wants you to remember his name—not for its tricky spelling, but for the remarkable story behind every bottle he touches. You will come away with an entirely fresh appreciation for what it means to make wine in Armenia, where every sip is less about chasing trends and more about channeling centuries of heritage, family resilience, and pure emotion into the glass. As Vahagnn candidly shares, wine is a process—not just a result—and through his partnership with his trailblazing wife, Zara, he's helping to reignite an Armenian industry that only recently emerged from decades of obscurity. Listeners will discover how Zara's relentless pursuit of innovation, from rewriting Armenia's winemaking curriculum to engineering a new kind of Armenian vermouth, is matched only by Vahagnn's drive to connect their wines to the hearts of drinkers across the world. You'll learn the hard truths and soft skills of building a boutique winery where “less is more” and the story matters as much as the science. Through tales of global journeys, emotional tastings, and lessons drawn from both Soviet-era and millennia-old winemaking traditions, you'll gain insight into the unique character of Armenian grapes, the challenge of defining terroir when history itself is being rewritten, and the profound belief that wine should spark conversation, curiosity, and connection. Whether it's reflecting on the emotion of a perfectly balanced wine, discussing how innovation meets tradition, or embracing the “life of wine” over the fleeting allure of lifestyle, Vahagnn's wisdom and humility shine through. Expect to finish the episode not just wanting to taste their story, but also to rethink what, and who, really fills the bottle in front of you. Zara Muradian Winery (referred to as "Zara Winery" / "Zara Muradian Winery"): No website was provided in the transcript. If you'd like to find more, you may try searching for "Zara Muradian Winery Armenia" or similar terms online. White Rabbit Family (a group of high-end restaurants in Russia): Website: https://whiterabbitfamily.com/en/ California State University, Fresno – Viticulture & Enology Research Center: Main university site: https://www.fresnostate.edu/ Viticulture & Enology Center: https://jcast.fresnostate.edu/ve/index.html Geisenheim University (Germany) Website: https://www.hs-geisenheim.de/ James Suckling (wine critic and tasting events): Website: https://www.jamessuckling.com/ CivilNet (mentioned as a studio/production site in Armenia) Website: https://www.civilnet.am/   #winepodcast #WineTalks #PaulKalemkiarian #VahagnnVoskanyan #ZaraWinery #ArmenianWine #winemaking #wineeducation #familybusiness #boutiquewinery #JamesSuckling #grapegrowing #Armenia #winehistory #winepassion #womeninwine #vineyardlife #wineculture #wineindustry #winestory

Remote Viewing – Psychic Spies and the War for the Mind Summary: What if you could spy on hidden enemy bases…or even see ancient alien civilizations on Mars—using nothing but your mind? Today we're diving into Remote Viewing, the CIA's psychic program that blended spies, psychics, Cold War paranoia, and some truly bizarre claims. The CIA's secret psychic spy program, Project SCANATE, launched in 1972 to test if minds could see distant targets. How Ingo Swann described Jupiter's rings before NASA confirmed them—and claimed to see alien bases on the Moon. Pat Price's wild visions of Soviet psychic spies and underground alien bases beneath Alaska. The Mars session where Joe McMoneagle viewed ancient pyramids and tall beings waiting for rescue. Why Project Stargate was shut down, despite two decades of funding. Remote Viewing today: YouTube psychics, alien bases, Atlantis, and predicting disasters. Off-the-rails theories: simulation glitches, Project Looking Glass, and non-human entity contact. Was Remote Viewing a failed Cold War experiment—or a glimpse into the true power of human consciousness? Thanks for listening, but remember—don't tell anyone about what you heard today, because This Podcast is a Secret.

David introduced John Hunt as the guest for the Tuesday Space Show program. John quickly turned to criticizing the Wall Street Journal's two-part series on UFOs/UAPs, arguing that it unfairly dismissed the subject as government disinformation. He highlighted several issues with the article, including its selective use of evidence, misrepresentation of sources, and failure to address key cases like the Maelstrom missile shutdown and Soviet incidents. John suggested the article was designed to reassure the public that there's nothing to the UFO phenomenon, rather than providing a balanced analysis. He also discussed the background of Lou Elizondo, the former head of the Pentagon's UFO program, and criticized the article's treatment of him. John concluded that the article was part of a broader campaign to discourage further congressional inquiries into UFOs. John also mentioned others brought forward in the Wall St. Journal article, both as to how the Journal article treated and dismissed them to many of the dismissed topics that John thought should have been addressed in the article. Read the full summary @ www.thespaceshow.com for Tuesday, July 15, 2025 or doctorspace.substack.com for the same day and date.

Les Parnas, a Soviet-born American businessman and former associate of Rudy Giuliani and a Trump campaign operative, discussed his relationship with Trump and MAGA.Subscribe to our Newsletter:https://politicsdoneright.com/newsletterPurchase our Books: As I See It: https://amzn.to/3XpvW5o How To Make AmericaUtopia: https://amzn.to/3VKVFnG It's Worth It: https://amzn.to/3VFByXP Lose Weight And BeFit Now: https://amzn.to/3xiQK3K Tribulations of anAfro-Latino Caribbean man: https://amzn.to/4c09rbE

What is the relationship between "human rights" and neoliberalism? How deeply are contemporary ideas, ideals, and visions of "human rights" influenced by neoliberalism? What can early theorists and ideologues of neoliberalism tell us about Cold War and post-Cold War uses of human rights discourse in international organizations and governance? And what are the implications of it all for a country like Georgia which experienced radical neoliberal reforms and state-economy building in the post-Soviet period? On today's episode we sit down with Jessica Whyte to discuss her 2019 book, The Morals of the Market: Human Rights and the Rise of Neoliberalism. Book description here:Drawing on detailed archival research on the parallel histories of human rights and neoliberalism, Jessica Whyte uncovers the place of human rights in neoliberal attempts to develop a moral framework for a market society. In the wake of the Second World War, neoliberals saw demands for new rights to social welfare and self-determination as threats to “civilisation”. Yet, rather than rejecting rights, they developed a distinctive account of human rights as tools to depoliticise civil society, protect private investments and shape liberal subjects.https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/500-the-morals-of-the-marketJessica Whyte is a Scientia Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of New South Wales, Australia, with a cross-appointment in the Faculty of Law. https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/jessica-whyte

Thank you Sandra Dingler, Hirut Kidane-mariam, Wendy Bussiere, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.* Lev Parnas, former Trump campaign operative, exposes Trump and MAGA: Les Parnas, a Soviet-born American businessman and former associate of Rudy Giuliani and a Trump campaign operative, discussed his relationship with Trump and MAGA. [More]* The Texas … To hear more, visit egberto.substack.com

Gilias tradicijas puoselėjantis elnių viliojimo menas nuo seno buvo medžiotojo meistrystės įrodymas ir gamtos pažinimo bei kultūrinio paveldo dalis. Sovietų okupacijos metais – ši tradicija Lietuvoje buvo sunaikinta, tačiau, kaip teigia Lietuvos elnių kvieslių asociacijos prezidentas Daivaras Rybakovas, ilgainiui lietuviams pavyko šį paveldą susigrąžinti.Lietuviai – mažiausiai visoje Europos Sąjungoje dirbantys savaitgaliais. Eurostato duomenimis, tą daro vos 3 proc. tautiečių, kai Bendrijos vidurkis - 19 proc. Palyginimui daugiausia - Italijoje ir Graikijoje, kuri padirbėti savaitgaliais tenka kas trečiam žmogui.Į LRT GIRDI kreipėsi klausytojas Mantas, neapsikentęs nekontroliuojamo paukščių plitimo Vilniaus mieste. Šiaurės miestelyje gyvenantis vyras rašo, kad gyventojus vargina kova prieš negirdančius valdančiuosius. Esą ant greta daugiabučių esančio prekybos centro „Banginis“ stogo dauginasi ir peri jauniklius tūkstančiai paukščių, kurie apdergia gyventojų langus ir automobilius.Daliai žmonių kliūna Lietuvos miestuose skambanti rusų kalba, bet ne rusiški keiksmažodžiai? Kodėl vis dar paplitę keiksmai rusų kalba?Po daugybės išbandytų profesijų –nuo autobuso vairuotojo iki virėjo – gatvės menininkas Rytis Urbakavičius atrado ir miestų gatvėse, renginiuose leidžia didžiulius muilo burbulus. Jie įdomūs ne tik vaikams.Ved. Darius Matas

Gilias tradicijas puoselėjantis elnių viliojimo menas nuo seno buvo medžiotojo meistrystės įrodymas ir gamtos pažinimo bei kultūrinio paveldo dalis. Sovietų okupacijos metais – ši tradicija Lietuvoje buvo sunaikinta, tačiau kaip teigia Lietuvos elnių kvieslių asociacijos prezidentas Daivaras Rybakovas ilgainiui lietuviams pavyko šį paveldą susigrąžinti.

rWotD Episode 2995: Mikhail Bulgakov Museum Welcome to random Wiki of the Day, your journey through Wikipedia's vast and varied content, one random article at a time.The random article for Wednesday, 16 July 2025, is Mikhail Bulgakov Museum.The Mikhail Bulgakov Museum (officially known as Literature-Memorial Museum to Mikhail Bulgakov, commonly called the Bulgakov House or Lystovnychyi House) is a museum in Kyiv, Ukraine, dedicated to Kyiv-born Russian writer Mikhail Bulgakov.Commenced in February 1989, and opened on May 15, 1991, for the 100th anniversary of the writer's birth, the museum is located at No.13 on the Andriivskyi Descent and contains an exposition of nearly 2500 pieces that include Bulgakov's belongings, books, postcards, and photos — conveying the life and creativity of the writer and his surroundings. The atmosphere of the house reflects the writer's life — as a secondary school pupil, student of medicine, family doctor, and writer — when Bulgakov wrote The White Guard, The Master and Margarita, and Theatre Love Story.The building was erected in 1888 and designed by architect N. Gardenin, and thoroughly renovated before the opening of the museum. A memorial plaque with Bulgakov's portrait hangs on the front of the building. Bulgakov's 1925 novel The White Guard makes vivid references to the Andriyivskyy Descent, and the current plaque of the address at No.13 displays the street name the writer used in his book (No.13 Andreevsky spusk). Inna Konchakovskaia (1902–85), daughter of the owner (who was a hero of that Bulgakov novel) and niece of composer Witold Maliszewski, preserved this unique house in Kyiv in the hard Soviet times. The museum staff conducts considerable studies and research, publishes unreleased material, and holds book-club meetings.In June 2014, the museum posted the following announcement: "All persons supportive of the military occupation of Ukraine are discouraged from visiting the museum — The Mikhail Bulgakov Museum Administration."Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, there were calls in Ukraine to close down the museum, since Bulgakov allegedly opposed Ukrainian statehood and can not be considered a Ukrainian writer. Oleksandr Tkachenko, the then culture minister, as well as Liudmyla Gubianuri, the museum director, opposed the calls.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:10 UTC on Wednesday, 16 July 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Mikhail Bulgakov Museum on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm standard Matthew.

We saw James Gunn's new Superman — and we're still recovering. Ray breaks down the most deranged scenes, including Superman's tearful apology tour and his new creepily apologetic vibe with Lois Lane. We get into why the Epstein memo actually dropped this week, the Mongol toddler archer program, Soviet goal-setting efficiency, and what a desk job looks like in the upcoming cannibal labor economy. Plus: Ray's childhood crabapple trauma, a defense of violent unions, and why Batman is the real intelligence asset.Join the Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:

Flowers Through Concrete: Explorations in Soviet Hippieland (Oxford University Press, 2021) is the first chronological history of Soviet hippies, tracing their beginnings in the 1960s through the movement's maturity and ritualization in the 1970s. It is also a rich analysis of key aspects of Soviet hippiedom, including ideology, kaif, materiality, and madness - both enacted and imposed. Flowers Through Concrete uncovers, in particular, the lost history of women who participated in the Soviet hippie movement. Fürst makes a number of important arguments in Flowers Through Concrete. Despite obvious antagonisms, she argues that Soviet hippies and late Soviet socialist reality meshed so well that a stable symbiotic, although hostile, relationship emerged. She asserts that personal evidence, such as oral history, is "one of the most exciting historical sources, whose weaknesses sometimes work for rather than against the historian". She engages seriously with and makes visible the role of her own authorial self-reflection in historical analysis. And, last but not least, as Fürst herself says, the story of Soviet hippies is a really good story. Amanda Jeanne Swain, PhD. Historian. Humanities Center executive director. Navigating academic systems with faculty and grad students. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Every so often we're going to bring you something we've been calling off-cuts and footnotes. These are extended scenes and deep dives that didn't make the final cut of the main episodes. This is also a place where we can talk about your questions and comments. So feel free to send your thoughts to htbdpodcast@gmail.com in a voice note or a quick message. In this off-cut we're taking a walk with Boris through the repetitive courtyards of Tairova. Here we move beyond critiques of Soviet sameness to enter an almost hallucinogenic wormhole of yard after yard after yard. Right when you're certain you've been here before or seen this before, it occurs to you that maybe you're in the same place or every place all at once. Either way it's a perfect place to reflect on the future lives of Odes[s]a. Instagram: @dragons_podcast
 Website: www.htbdpodcast.com
 Sign up for our newsletter: htbdpodcast.substack.com


In this compelling episode of NucleCast, Olena Kryzhanivska, a Ukrainian policy analyst and senior editor at the NATO Association of Canada explores the ongoing war in Ukraine, offering a deeply informed and personal perspective on the conflict's origins, evolution, and global implications.Olena traces the roots of the war back through centuries of Russian imperialism, Soviet oppression, and the 2014 annexation of Crimea. She explains how the full-scale invasion in 2022 was not a sudden act but a continuation of long-standing Russian ambitions. The conversation delves into the psychological and societal divides between Ukrainians and Russians, the resilience of Ukrainian civil society, and the strategic miscalculations made by the Kremlin.The discussion also covers:The role of Western support, particularly from the U.S., and the impact of political shifts on military aid.The human toll of the war, including the trauma endured by civilians and the challenges of military recruitment.Russia's nuclear rhetoric and its implications for NATO and global security.Olena's three heartfelt wishes for Ukraine's future: sustained U.S. support, greater global recognition of the Russian threat, and the restoration of Ukraine's full sovereignty.This episode offers a sobering yet hopeful look at Ukraine's struggle for freedom and the broader stakes for the international community.Olena Kryzhanivska is a Ukrainian policy analyst and senior editor at the NATO Association of Canada. She has provided expert analysis for the Norwegian Embassy in Turkey and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Currently, she authors the weekly newsletters Ukraine's Arms Monitor, focusing on weapons transfers, military cooperation, defense production, and drone warfare in the context of Russia's war on Ukraine.Socials:Follow on Twitter at @NucleCastFollow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcastSubscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to NucleCast@anwadeter.org

WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE CHERNOBYL EXPLOSION, ONE OF THE MOST CATASTROPHIC NUCLEAR DISASTERS IN HISTORY. In this episode of Christories, we dive deep into the events leading up to the explosion, revealing how human error and flawed design combined to create a deadly accident. Discover the harrowing immediate aftermath and the long-term environmental and health impacts that still resonate today. We explore the untold stories of the brave workers and first responders who risked everything to contain the disaster. Learn how the Soviet government tried to cover up the incident and the global reaction that followed. Tune in to hear the full Christories of Chernobyl, a chilling tale of science, tragedy, and resilience. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Cornbread Hemp - Right now, Chrissy Chaos listeners can save 30% on their first order! Just head to https://cornbreadhemp.com/CHAOS and use code CHAOS at checkout. QUINCE - Go to https://Quince.com/CHRISSY for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. BlueChew - Make life easier by getting harder and discover your options at https://BlueChew.com! And we've got a special deal for our listeners: Try your first month of BlueChew FREE when you use promo code CHAOS -- just pay $5 shipping. Christories Disclaimer* it is important to note that Christories knowledge and understanding of historical events, facts, and figures may not be 100% accurate or complete! Note that information in this episode has been lightly researched and we encourage you to continue your learning outside of this episode too, Babes! Follow us Muffin Butt!

HAS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SWITCHED SIDES TO KYIV?   6/8: The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History. by  Serhii Plokhy  (Author) 1920 UKRAINE https://www.amazon.com/Russo-Ukrainian-War-Return-History/dp/1324051191 Despite repeated warnings from the White House, Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 shocked the world. Why did Putin start the war―and why has it unfolded in previously unimaginable ways? Ukrainians have resisted a superior military; the West has united, while Russia grows increasingly isolated. Serhii Plokhy, a leading historian of Ukraine and the Cold War, offers a definitive account of this conflict, its origins, course, and the already apparent and possible future consequences. Though the current war began eight years before the all-out assault―on February 27, 2014, when Russian armed forces seized the building of the Crimean parliament―the roots of this conflict can be traced back even earlier, to post-Soviet tensions and imperial collapse in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Providing a broad historical context and an examination of Ukraine and Russia's ideas and cultures, as well as domestic and international politics, Plokhy reveals that while this new Cold War was not inevitable, it was predictable. Ukraine, Plokhy argues, has remained central to Russia's idea of itself even as Ukrainians have followed a radically different path. In a new international environment defined by the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the disintegration of the post–Cold War international order, and a resurgence of populist nationalism, Ukraine is now more than ever the most volatile fault line between authoritarianism and democratic Europe.

HAS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SWITCHED SIDES TO KYIV?   1/8: The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History. by  Serhii Plokhy  (Author) POPULAR SCIENCE 1920 https://www.amazon.com/Russo-Ukrainian-War-Return-History/dp/1324051191 Despite repeated warnings from the White House, Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 shocked the world. Why did Putin start the war―and why has it unfolded in previously unimaginable ways? Ukrainians have resisted a superior military; the West has united, while Russia grows increasingly isolated. Serhii Plokhy, a leading historian of Ukraine and the Cold War, offers a definitive account of this conflict, its origins, course, and the already apparent and possible future consequences. Though the current war began eight years before the all-out assault―on February 27, 2014, when Russian armed forces seized the building of the Crimean parliament―the roots of this conflict can be traced back even earlier, to post-Soviet tensions and imperial collapse in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Providing a broad historical context and an examination of Ukraine and Russia's ideas and cultures, as well as domestic and international politics, Plokhy reveals that while this new Cold War was not inevitable, it was predictable. Ukraine, Plokhy argues, has remained central to Russia's idea of itself even as Ukrainians have followed a radically different path. In a new international environment defined by the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the disintegration of the post–Cold War international order, and a resurgence of populist nationalism, Ukraine is now more than ever the most volatile fault line between authoritarianism and democratic Europe.

HAS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SWITCHED SIDES TO KYIV?   3/8: The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History. by  Serhii Plokhy  (Author) 1883 UKRAINE https://www.amazon.com/Russo-Ukrainian-War-Return-History/dp/1324051191 Despite repeated warnings from the White House, Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 shocked the world. Why did Putin start the war―and why has it unfolded in previously unimaginable ways? Ukrainians have resisted a superior military; the West has united, while Russia grows increasingly isolated. Serhii Plokhy, a leading historian of Ukraine and the Cold War, offers a definitive account of this conflict, its origins, course, and the already apparent and possible future consequences. Though the current war began eight years before the all-out assault―on February 27, 2014, when Russian armed forces seized the building of the Crimean parliament―the roots of this conflict can be traced back even earlier, to post-Soviet tensions and imperial collapse in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Providing a broad historical context and an examination of Ukraine and Russia's ideas and cultures, as well as domestic and international politics, Plokhy reveals that while this new Cold War was not inevitable, it was predictable. Ukraine, Plokhy argues, has remained central to Russia's idea of itself even as Ukrainians have followed a radically different path. In a new international environment defined by the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the disintegration of the post–Cold War international order, and a resurgence of populist nationalism, Ukraine is now more than ever the most volatile fault line between authoritarianism and democratic Europe.

HAS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SWITCHED SIDES TO KYIV?   4/8: The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History. by  Serhii Plokhy  (Author) 1920 https://www.amazon.com/Russo-Ukrainian-War-Return-History/dp/1324051191 Despite repeated warnings from the White House, Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 shocked the world. Why did Putin start the war―and why has it unfolded in previously unimaginable ways? Ukrainians have resisted a superior military; the West has united, while Russia grows increasingly isolated. Serhii Plokhy, a leading historian of Ukraine and the Cold War, offers a definitive account of this conflict, its origins, course, and the already apparent and possible future consequences. Though the current war began eight years before the all-out assault―on February 27, 2014, when Russian armed forces seized the building of the Crimean parliament―the roots of this conflict can be traced back even earlier, to post-Soviet tensions and imperial collapse in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Providing a broad historical context and an examination of Ukraine and Russia's ideas and cultures, as well as domestic and international politics, Plokhy reveals that while this new Cold War was not inevitable, it was predictable. Ukraine, Plokhy argues, has remained central to Russia's idea of itself even as Ukrainians have followed a radically different path. In a new international environment defined by the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the disintegration of the post–Cold War international order, and a resurgence of populist nationalism, Ukraine is now more than ever the most volatile fault line between authoritarianism and democratic Europe.

HAS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SWITCHED SIDES TO KYIV?   5/8: The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History. by  Serhii Plokhy  (Author) 1921 UKRAINE https://www.amazon.com/Russo-Ukrainian-War-Return-History/dp/1324051191 Despite repeated warnings from the White House, Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 shocked the world. Why did Putin start the war―and why has it unfolded in previously unimaginable ways? Ukrainians have resisted a superior military; the West has united, while Russia grows increasingly isolated. Serhii Plokhy, a leading historian of Ukraine and the Cold War, offers a definitive account of this conflict, its origins, course, and the already apparent and possible future consequences. Though the current war began eight years before the all-out assault―on February 27, 2014, when Russian armed forces seized the building of the Crimean parliament―the roots of this conflict can be traced back even earlier, to post-Soviet tensions and imperial collapse in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Providing a broad historical context and an examination of Ukraine and Russia's ideas and cultures, as well as domestic and international politics, Plokhy reveals that while this new Cold War was not inevitable, it was predictable. Ukraine, Plokhy argues, has remained central to Russia's idea of itself even as Ukrainians have followed a radically different path. In a new international environment defined by the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the disintegration of the post–Cold War international order, and a resurgence of populist nationalism, Ukraine is now more than ever the most volatile fault line between authoritarianism and democratic Europe.

HAS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SWITCHED SIDES TO KYIV?   2/8: The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History. by  Serhii Plokhy  (Author) 1920 https://www.amazon.com/Russo-Ukrainian-War-Return-History/dp/1324051191 Despite repeated warnings from the White House, Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 shocked the world. Why did Putin start the war―and why has it unfolded in previously unimaginable ways? Ukrainians have resisted a superior military; the West has united, while Russia grows increasingly isolated. Serhii Plokhy, a leading historian of Ukraine and the Cold War, offers a definitive account of this conflict, its origins, course, and the already apparent and possible future consequences. Though the current war began eight years before the all-out assault―on February 27, 2014, when Russian armed forces seized the building of the Crimean parliament―the roots of this conflict can be traced back even earlier, to post-Soviet tensions and imperial collapse in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Providing a broad historical context and an examination of Ukraine and Russia's ideas and cultures, as well as domestic and international politics, Plokhy reveals that while this new Cold War was not inevitable, it was predictable. Ukraine, Plokhy argues, has remained central to Russia's idea of itself even as Ukrainians have followed a radically different path. In a new international environment defined by the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the disintegration of the post–Cold War international order, and a resurgence of populist nationalism, Ukraine is now more than ever the most volatile fault line between authoritarianism and democratic Europe.

HAS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SWITCHED SIDES TO KYIV?   7/8: The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History. by  Serhii Plokhy  (Author) 1923 https://www.amazon.com/Russo-Ukrainian-War-Return-History/dp/1324051191 Despite repeated warnings from the White House, Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 shocked the world. Why did Putin start the war―and why has it unfolded in previously unimaginable ways? Ukrainians have resisted a superior military; the West has united, while Russia grows increasingly isolated. Serhii Plokhy, a leading historian of Ukraine and the Cold War, offers a definitive account of this conflict, its origins, course, and the already apparent and possible future consequences. Though the current war began eight years before the all-out assault―on February 27, 2014, when Russian armed forces seized the building of the Crimean parliament―the roots of this conflict can be traced back even earlier, to post-Soviet tensions and imperial collapse in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Providing a broad historical context and an examination of Ukraine and Russia's ideas and cultures, as well as domestic and international politics, Plokhy reveals that while this new Cold War was not inevitable, it was predictable. Ukraine, Plokhy argues, has remained central to Russia's idea of itself even as Ukrainians have followed a radically different path. In a new international environment defined by the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the disintegration of the post–Cold War international order, and a resurgence of populist nationalism, Ukraine is now more than ever the most volatile fault line between authoritarianism and democratic Europe.

HAS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SWITCHED SIDES TO KYIV?   8/8: The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History. by  Serhii Plokhy  (Author) 1923 https://www.amazon.com/Russo-Ukrainian-War-Return-History/dp/1324051191 Despite repeated warnings from the White House, Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 shocked the world. Why did Putin start the war―and why has it unfolded in previously unimaginable ways? Ukrainians have resisted a superior military; the West has united, while Russia grows increasingly isolated. Serhii Plokhy, a leading historian of Ukraine and the Cold War, offers a definitive account of this conflict, its origins, course, and the already apparent and possible future consequences. Though the current war began eight years before the all-out assault―on February 27, 2014, when Russian armed forces seized the building of the Crimean parliament―the roots of this conflict can be traced back even earlier, to post-Soviet tensions and imperial collapse in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Providing a broad historical context and an examination of Ukraine and Russia's ideas and cultures, as well as domestic and international politics, Plokhy reveals that while this new Cold War was not inevitable, it was predictable. Ukraine, Plokhy argues, has remained central to Russia's idea of itself even as Ukrainians have followed a radically different path. In a new international environment defined by the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the disintegration of the post–Cold War international order, and a resurgence of populist nationalism, Ukraine is now more than ever the most volatile fault line between authoritarianism and democratic Europe.

Last time we spoke about Black Saterday and Operation Iron Fist. Conflict erupted in Shanghai on August 13, when Japanese marines disguised as civilians provoked Chinese guards, resulting in fierce gunfire and urban warfare. Both sides engaged in skirmishes around vital locations, with the Eight Character Bridge becoming a focal point. On August 14, air raids misfired catastrophically, killing over a thousand civilians in what became known as "Black Saturday." In an attempt to regain control, Chiang Kai-shek authorized Operation Iron Fist, a bold offensive targeting Japanese strongholds. The attack commenced early on August 17, involving coordinated assaults aimed at exploiting weak points in the enemy defenses. However, poor coordination, entrenched opposition, and the complexity of urban combat resulted in further devastating losses for the Chinese troops. By August 18, Operation Iron Fist had failed, with the Japanese reinforcing their positions and announcing a strategic shift towards expanded military engagement.   #158 The Battle of Shanghai Part 3: The Chinese Counteroffensive “Drive them into the Sea!” 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. On August 18, the Japanese military reinforced their presence in Shanghai, shipping an additional 1,400 marines from Manchuria to bolster the ranks of the Japanese Shanghai Special Naval Landing Force or “SNLF”. Yes, all of you who don't listen to my Pacific War week by week podcast are going to get a lot of acronym lessons soon. And yes, they are not quote en quote real marines, but like most telling these stories its easier to refer to them this way. This influx of troops was a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, heightening tensions as the battle for control intensified. As the battle in Shanghai raged on, a growing sentiment emerged among Chinese leaders that crucial chances had been squandered. On August 18, Chiang Kai-shek sent his trusted aide, Deputy War Minister Chen Cheng, to confer with General Zhang Zhizhong at the front lines. They assessed the situation and agreed that instead of attacking the heavily fortified Hongkou area, they should redirect their focus to the Yangshupu district. The aim was to breach the defenses and split the Japanese forces along the Huangpu River. This strategic shift was precisely what the German military advisers and frontline commanders had anticipated, signaling a decisive move away from their earlier hesitance to engage within settlement boundaries. As attrition took its toll on the Chinese troops already committed in Shanghai, the responsibility for the offensive was placed on the newly arrived 36th Infantry Division, a unit highly trained by German forces. They were positioned to advance from the eastern edge of Hongkou, with two regiments tasked to march south toward the Huangpu. In the early hours of the 19th, two regiments of the 36th launched their long-planned attack, moving swiftly towards the front lines. The night was illuminated by the flames of sabotage and incendiary bombs, aiding visibility amid the chaos. However, the assault quickly faced significant challenges. Many of the Chinese soldiers were inexperienced, becoming easy targets for Japanese infantry positioned in rooftops and upper-story windows. In the absence of cover, some troops were forced to take shelter behind the fallen bodies of their comrades. For a moment, the Chinese troops felt a surge of hope, believing they could push the Japanese into the Huangpu River. General Zhang Fakui, observing from the opposite bank, envisioned a breakthrough. However, upon reaching Broadway, parallel to the river, they confronted a formidable barrier. High walls guarded the wharves, and even the largest artillery pieces struggled to breach the defenses. Attempts to scale the steel gate resulted in devastating fire from entrenched Japanese machine gunners, while fortified factories like the Gong Da Cotton Mill proved equally impenetrable. As the Chinese forces suffered under relentless bombardment, their momentum diminished. The 88th Infantry Division, previously effective, showed signs of disarray and hesitated to engage. Compounding their woes, Japanese reinforcements arrived, swelling their ranks to 6,300 well equipped marines. Despite these challenges, the Chinese committed to deploying their newly acquired British built Vickers tanks, a symbol of their efforts to modernize their military over the years. But with each hour, the balance of power tilted further in favor of the Japanese forces. Meanwhile the 87th Infantry Division was assigned two armored companies, yet it suffered catastrophic losses. The tanks, recently shipped from Nanjing, had crews untrained in coordinated assaults, and many were left without infantry support. The Chinese forces struggled to secure adjacent streets, allowing Japanese armor to outflank and destroy their tanks. The Japanese, too, faced coordination challenges between their armor and infantry, resulting in some of their tanks being annihilated by Chinese anti-tank weapons. On the 20th, General Zhang Zhizhong inspected the Yangshupu front and encountered a former student leading a tank company ready to attack the wharves. The tanks, hastily repaired and ill equipped for battle, faced fierce enemy fire, and the young officer expressed concern about the infantry's ability to keep pace. Despite Zhang's insistence that the assault must proceed, the attack ended in disaster as the tank company was decimated by shells from anchored vessels. The battle blended modern warfare with tactics reminiscent of earlier centuries. An officer named Wu Yujun managed a position during a Japanese cavalry attack on the 18th. After two unsuccessful assaults, Wu set an ambush that resulted in the annihilation of the Japanese riders. This incident illustrated the stark contrast on the battlefield where Chinese soldiers often confronted a technologically superior enemy while grappling with their own inexperience.  Many of the Chinese units arriving in Shanghai were very green, countless having never faced battle before, and their lack of experience proved costly in the initial days of fighting. Brigade Commander Fang Jing of the 98th Division observed that his soldiers constructed inadequate fortifications that crumbled under the Japanese 150mm howitzers. He lamented, “Often, the positions they built were too weak and couldn't withstand the enemy's artillery,”. On the 20th, 5 Chinese aircraft returned after yet another unsuccessful attack on the Japanese battleship Izumo, which remained anchored in the Huangpu. During their flight over western Zhabei, they encountered two Japanese seaplanes. One Chinese pilot broke formation, diving steeply to fire a brief machine-gun salvo, but his plane was quickly shot down, bursting into flames before crashing. The Chinese attacks had posed a significant threat to Japanese bombers, particularly the vulnerable Mitsubishi G3M medium aircraft targeting Shanghai and central China. Japan's First Combined Air Group suffered heavy losses, with half of its medium attack planes damaged or destroyed within the first three days of fighting. However, the Chinese pilots, largely inexperienced and inadequately trained, began to falter against the superior Japanese fighters, eventually withdrawing from the skies over Shanghai. Ground troops expressed frustration over the lack of effective air support, as they rarely saw their planes after the 20th, instead carrying out major troop movements only under the cover of darkness. The Japanese air superiority drastically affected operations on the ground, dictating when Chinese soldiers could eat and transport supplies. Without effective fighter protection and limited anti-aircraft capabilities, the Chinese troops were left exposed. Most of their anti-aircraft weaponry consisted of 20mm Solothurn guns that were ineffective against aircraft and were more often used against infantry. Officers hesitated to use these guns for fear of revealing their positions to the enemy.  By the morning of the 21st, the 36th Division had been relentlessly attacking the wharf area for over 48 hours, yet victory remained elusive. Although some tanks had infiltrated the wharf, they were met with dishearteningly strong Japanese defenses and a well-manned enemy presence. The commanders recognized that they had advanced too quickly without securing their flanks, and their reserves, which could have provided crucial support, remained in the rear. Reluctantly, they concluded that a withdrawal was necessary. The retreat was a painful acknowledgment that pushing the Japanese into the Huangpu River would not be as straightforward as hoped. Part of the Chinese failure stemmed from an inability to execute joint operations across different military branches. German advisors noted that artillery support for the forces in Yangshupu from the Pudong side was limited. In contrast, Japanese naval guns were actively providing support, significantly relieving the pressure on their marines. This imbalance resulted in heavy losses for the Chinese, with the 36th Division suffering over 2,000 casualties by the late 22nd. Meanwhile, Japanese naval aircraft attempted to impede the movement of additional Chinese troops to Shanghai by bombing the railway from Suzhou. Although several bridges were destroyed and railway stations sustained damage, the delays were minimal, offering some reassurance to Chinese commanders who understood that reinforcements were essential for a successful continuation of the battle. The light cruiser Jintsu, carrying the 3rd Division, set to land six miles north of Shanghai, while the 11th Division would disembark a dozen miles further up the Yangtze River. By the evening of the 21st, the task force arrived at the Yangtze River and the Saddle Islands off the river estuary. The soldiers had to transfer to smaller vessels capable of navigating the shallow waters of the Huangpu River.  On the 23rd, Matsui Iwane got aboard the light cruiser Yura and was greeted by Rear Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, then the commander of the 8th cruiser division. Yes, the same man who would be blamed for losing at Midway in 1942. The Japanese fleet had made a strategic sweep as far south as Hangzhou Bay the previous day to disrupt Chinese troop movements and force them to spread thin along the coast. However, with the landings imminent, it was clear the assault would happen at Wusong and Chuanshakou. Initially, Matsui preferred landing both divisions at Chuanshakou for a sweeping advance into the lightly defended countryside west of Shanghai, which would encircle tens of thousands of Chinese soldiers. The 3rd Fleet, however, proposed a bolder strategy: the 11th Infantry Division would proceed with the landing at Chuanshakou, while the 3rd Infantry Division would land at Wusong, directly confronting the heavily concentrated Chinese forces around Shanghai. This plan aimed to exert pressure from both the front and the rear, a tactic that could yield success but risked high casualties if faced with stiff Chinese resistance. Aware of the operation's risks, the naval officers sought to ease potential tensions with their army counterparts by offering over 500 elite marines to support the assault, preparing for what could be a pivotal moment in the campaign. Shortly after midnight on the 23rd, the marines designated as the primary assault wave at Wusong arrived in a convoy of steamers from Shanghai. Their arrival was eagerly anticipated, as they would spare the 3rd Division from being the first to land. As the naval artillery barrage reached a deafening climax, the boats glided across the smooth water towards the shore. Any time a Chinese machine gun opened fire, it drew immediate response from the Japanese gunners, swiftly silencing the threat. Meanwhile, trench mortars onshore targeted the advancing vessels, but their rounds fell harmlessly into the water without causing any damage. At 3:00 am, the first landing craft reached the bank, dropped anchor, and lowered its ramp. The marines waded ashore, climbing the 15 foot high dike to survey the terrain. Suddenly, machine gun fire erupted from a Chinese position just 50 yards away, cutting down several marines. Undeterred, the marines charged with fixed bayonets across the open field. An explosion marked the spot where a soldier had triggered a landmine, followed by more detonations, but there was no retreat; they pressed on, swarming over the Chinese trench and engaging in a brief yet fierce hand-to-hand struggle. Within moments, they had taken the position. The marines quickly cleared the area, paving a path to their immediate objective, a military road running parallel to the Huangpu River. While setting up defensive positions, the 3rd Division began to disembark at the water's edge. By 8:00 a.m, the divisional command stepped ashore as the last unit to arrive. Meanwhile, naval pilots were busy bombing and strafing roads further inland to impede any enemy reinforcements. The landing had unfolded with remarkable success, marking a significant moment in the operation and setting the stage for greater advances by Japanese forces. Meanwhile the 11th division began setting foot on the beach north of Chuanshakou at 3:50 am. As the soldiers advanced towards the town's outskirts, they encountered only minimal resistance as Chuanshakou was defended by a single Chinese company.  Matsui was pleased with the outcome; everything had unfolded according to plan and, in fact, better than he had dared to hope. Casualties in both divisions were surprisingly low, amounting to little more than 40 soldiers. At 5:30 am, Zhang Zhizhong received an urgent phone call at his new headquarters in a small village near Nanxiang. On the line was Liu Heding, commander of the 56th Infantry Division, reporting that an enemy force of unknown size had landed near Chuanshakou. With heavy bombardment disrupting communications, details were scarce, but Zhang immediately recognized the gravity of the situation: a new front was opening, complicating his command significantly. Realizing he could not effectively manage the situation from Nanxiang with communications down, Zhang decided to head to the command post of the 87th Infantry Division in Jiangwan, a town closer to the landing area. By the time he arrived at the 87th Division's base, it was nearly 9:00 am. He was informed that the Japanese had not only landed at Chuanshakou but also at Wusong. Recognizing the urgency, he quickly dispatched half of the 87th Infantry Division and a regiment from the recently arrived Training Brigade, an elite unit fresh from Nanjing, to respond to the threat. Given that the 56th Infantry Division alone could not secure the area around Chuanshakou, Zhang assigned the 98th Infantry Division to defend most of the Yangtze riverbank under threat. He also dispatched the 11th Division, which had just arrived in the Shanghai area with Deputy War Minister Chen Cheng to move toward Luodian, a town just a few miles from the landing zone at Chuanshakou.  Meanwhile, the Japanese forces were advancing swiftly. While the main landing contingent engaged in fierce fighting for control of Chuanshakou, a small unit of a few hundred soldiers was dispatched down the road to Luodian. Marching under the scorching August sun, the reservists, weary from the trek, found little resistance upon reaching Luodian. They hastily set up camp without adequately preparing defenses, making them vulnerable targets. Later that afternoon, advance units of the 11th Infantry Division reached Luodian, shaken but determined to attack even after facing air raids on their journey. The ensuing skirmish was swift; within an hour, the Japanese were repelled. Back over at Wusong Hu Guobing received orders to push back the Japanese on August 21st. He led his regiment towards the Japanese lines, as his platoons dispersed further, dividing into smaller squads. Soon, the sharp crack and rattle of small arms fire resonated along the regiment's front. Battalion Commander Qin Shiquan, a graduate of the Central Military Academy, led two companies toward the enemy positions, taking care to remain unnoticed. When they drew close enough, he ordered his bugler to sound the charge. Then, raising his Mauser pistol, he turned to face his men and shouted, “Attack! Attack!” This sudden noise revealed his position, making it vulnerable. Japanese observers hidden nearby quickly relayed his coordinates to warships offshore. Within minutes, shells began to rain down on the unit with alarming accuracy. Amidst the storm of fire unleashed by the Japanese, all semblance of order disintegrated, and chaos ensued as each unit fought to survive. Hu Guobing spent most of the day dodging Japanese aircraft that circled overhead, waiting for targets to emerge. As Hu Guobing recalled “It felt as though the enemy could see everything. It was crucial not to act rashly. Our only real options were to take cover in a hole or hide behind a ridge”. The gunfire continued throughout the afternoon and did not relent until darkness began to fall. Only then could the soldiers breathe a little easier, grab a few bites of their field rations, and quench their parched throats with sips from their water canteens. Seizing the relative safety of night, they hurried to improve their positions, knowing that once dawn arrived, it would be too late; a shallow trench or inadequate camouflage could spell doom. Although it had been Chiang Kai-Shek's decision to place Zhang Zhizhong and Feng Yuxiang in charge of Shanghai, now designated the 3rd War Zone, he was having regrets. In a telephone conversation with Feng Yuxiang shortly after the Japanese landings, Chiang emphasized the importance of monitoring the younger front-line commanders. He urged “Don't hesitate to give them advice,”. Feng assured him that he would not hold back. He then recounted an anecdote about General Nogi Maresuke, who, during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, allegedly delegated all major decisions to his chief of staff. Feng told him “The frontline commanders possess courage and a fighting spirit. Their role is to take orders and engage in battle. Mine is to stay back, like Nogi, write a few poems, and wait for the inevitable,”. Chiang persistently insisted, “Regardless of the situation, don't be shy. Share your insights with them.” “Of course,” Feng responded. “If I notice something amiss, I'll address it without hesitation. You can count on me.” However, this assurance did little to calm Chiang's concerns. A great concern was Zhang Zhizhong. Much of his rhetoric about fighting the Japanese seemed to lack substance. Zhang had not demonstrated the necessary resolve to launch attacks against the small Japanese forces in the city when decisive action could have turned the tide of the battle. With Japanese reinforcements firmly entrenched in two locations within the greater Shanghai area, it was now too late to pursue a quick victory over the enemy. Compounding the issue, Zhang appeared to spend an excessive amount of time making grandiose statements to the newspapers rather than focusing on the ground situation. Chiang's frustration was palpable, and it was shared by his German advisors, who concurred that Zhang lacked the requisite “toughness” to confront Japanese resistance effectively. The decision to send Deputy War Minister Chen Cheng to the front was an early indication that Chiang was considering replacing Zhang. In a particularly humiliating twist, Zhang was not even informed of Chen Cheng's appointment and learned about it indirectly through other field commanders. Fearing that he was being sidelined, Zhang Zhizhong hurried to the 3rd War Zone headquarters in Suzhou to assess the situation. While in Suzhou, called Chiang, whom began harshly criticizing him for being so far behind the front lines. “What are you doing in Suzhou? What are you doing in Suzhou?”. Zhang Zhizhong replied “Mr. Chairman, I'm back in Suzhou to discuss important strategic matters. Otherwise, I'm constantly at the front What's the matter with you?” Chiang was incensed by this perceived disrespect. “What's the matter with me? You ask me what's the matter with me!” His voice rising to a hoarse shriek, Chiang Kai-shek abruptly hung up. At this point, Zhang must have had little doubt that his days as the chief field commander were numbered. The Japanese landings had accomplished their immediate objective of relieving pressure on the small marine forces holed up in Shanghai. As a result, the Chinese were forced to halt their attacks on Hongkou and Yangshupu and had to reconsider how to allocate their resources across various fronts. If the Japanese landing party grew large enough, the Chinese forces could risk becoming the target of a Japanese pincer movement. In essence, within a few days, they had shifted from an offensive posture to a defensive one. Against this backdrop, Chen Cheng,  leading the 15th Army Group, arrived in Suzhou on August 24th. His presence aimed to bolster resistance, and he was also there to familiarize himself with local conditions, as he was expected to take on a greater role at the front shortly. Chen's confident demeanor and readiness to overrule local commanders indicated that real authority already resided with him. While he agreed with Zhang Zhizhong's plans from the previous day to counter the landings, he deemed them insufficient given the threat posed by the fresh Japanese troops. Consequently, he ordered that more soldiers be redeployed from Shanghai proper to the landing zones. To counter the dire situation, Falkenhausen devised a plan aimed at reigniting enthusiasm for the offensive among the Chinese forces. During a meeting on the 25th, he proposed rallying all troops in the Luodian area to mount a coordinated attack from all sides against the Japanese landing force. Emphasizing the German preference for a decisive strike, he aimed to push the invaders back into the Yangtze. The assembled officers expressed their agreement with the plan. However, as dawn broke, the optimism from the night's discussions began to wane. It had been 48 hours since the landings, and the Japanese army had solidified its foothold at Chuanshakou, rapidly approaching a point of strength that would make it nearly impossible to dislodge them. Tanks and artillery were assembled along the riverbank, while engineers constructed a pier to facilitate the faster unloading of troops and supplies. They had already established a bridgehead that extended 10 miles in length and reached a depth of five miles, initiating the construction of a road heading inland, an evident preparation for a major offensive. In a secret report to Chiang Kai-shek, Falkenhausen outlined the challenging situation as the Japanese consolidated their material advantages. “It should be noted that the enemy's army and navy operate in close coordination. Although their land-based artillery is still relatively weak, this is offset by their robust naval artillery and ship-based aircraft,”. He further noted that the airfields on Chongming Island contributed to Japan's now “complete air superiority, as a result, the main operations on our side should be executed after dark.”  From late August onward, most Chinese movements occurred after sunset. Only then could Chinese and Japanese infantry engage on more equal footing, without the overwhelming advantage provided by air support. Night became the great equalizer in the uneven battle for Shanghai. During the day, the relentlessly active Japanese forces seemed to be everywhere. They deployed rubber boats up small rivers to scout and disrupt. Their observation balloons hovered on the horizon, keeping a vigilant watch on the Chinese and swiftly scrambling aircraft upon detecting any movement. They combined technological superiority with a bravery that bordered on the suicidal; when faced with the prospect of capture, many Japanese soldiers preferred death. Following a fierce battle in the vicinity of Luodian, the Chinese retrieved the body of a sergeant major who had committed hara-kiri, while a gravely injured private was found attempting to slit his own throat with his bayonet. Luodian remained the immediate target for nearly all the Japanese forces in the area, facing the same Chinese units that had driven them out on August 23rd. The Chinese were well entrenched in and around the town, but they lacked the numbers to consider launching offensive operations against the Japanese at Chuanshakou. Instead, their priority was to strengthen their defenses. While waiting for the Japanese to resume the assault, they endured massive and sustained bombardment. Among the Chinese officers, there was a growing sense of crisis and a palpable fear that their defensive line could collapse at any moment. From their perspective, the Japanese appeared to be gaining momentum. However, the situation looked quite different from the Japanese invaders' point of view. Japanese casualties began to rise as the Chinese reinforcements sent to the Luodian area started to make an impact. Two days after the landings, the number of dead and injured from the 11th Division had exceeded 400, and the toll continued to climb. Among the casualties was a senior staff officer who was killed moments after stepping off his landing craft at Chuanshakou, struck down by a Chinese aircraft that had evaded Japanese fighter cover. The death toll escalated so quickly that not all bodies could be cremated, as was customary for the Japanese; privates and junior officers were hastily buried instead. For an army that prided itself on honoring its fallen soldiers more than those left alive, this was a significant blow to morale. The 3rd Division faced different challenges in its sector. It was subjected to relentless attacks on the first day of the landing and had to repel two further major enemy assaults on the second day. Additionally, it experienced occasional shelling from Chinese artillery located on the Pudong side. The greatest threat, however, came from the division's right flank. North of the landing zone lay Wusong Fortress, which had been guarding the approach to Shanghai since the wars against British and French forces in the mid-19th century. From their fortifications, Chinese infantry and artillery continuously targeted the Japanese as they disembarked from their boats and advanced inland. They also fired upon small vessels navigating up the Huangpu River, delivering supplies to the division. As the 3rd Division expanded its bridgehead in the days following the landing, Wusong Fortress remained a persistent threat, impeding the buildup of Japanese forces on shore. Compounding the Japanese sense of being encircled, the village of Yinhang to the south was also under Chinese control. This, combined with the steadily increasing number of Chinese defenders in front of the landing zone, created a challenging tactical situation for the Japanese. Although initial casualties had been lighter than the planners had feared, the number of Japanese losses began to rise. By the 25th, the 3rd Division, often referred to as the “Lucky” Division, reported over 300 accumulated casualties. Two days later, that number had escalated to 500, the majority of whom were killed in action. On the 28th, the 3rd Division was finally able to capture the village of Yinhang, freeing itself somewhat from the tactical constraints it had faced up to that point. On the same day, following an intense naval bombardment, the 11th Division launched an assault on Luodian. Leading the charge was Wachi Takaji, a 44-year-old regimental commander who surged forward with his sword drawn, personally dispatching several enemies along the way. The Chinese defenders were driven out of the town and fled down the roads leading inland. By noon, Luodian was firmly under Japanese control.  However August 29th marked a significant triumph for Chinese diplomacy, as Chiang Kai-shek's signed a non-aggression treaty with the Soviet Union. The pact between Nanjing and Moscow laid the political and diplomatic groundwork for Soviet military aid to China while ensuring that the Soviet Union would not reach an agreement with Japan as long as hostilities continued. Initially, Chiang Kai-shek had been wary of Soviet intentions, expressing concerns in his diary on August 1st, when the diplomats were preparing the treaty, that he feared the Kremlin might use the agreement to pressure Japan into signing a similar pact with Moscow. However, following the signing, skepticism gave way to optimism. Three days after announcing the treaty, Chiang confidently predicted in a speech that the Soviet Union would eventually enter the war against Japan. Chiang would not be wrong about that, but it would only come in 1945, officially. Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin had a clear reason to encourage China to engage in a full-scale war with Japan: it would secure Russia's western flank while he focused on the strategic challenges posed by a Europe dominated by Hitler. A conflict with China could drain Japanese resources, thereby reducing the threat from Asia in the long term. Exasperated British diplomats attempted to warn Chiang Kai-shek about what they perceived as a Soviet ruse, advising that the Russians “only have their own interests in mind.” Nevertheless, this did little to undermine the Chinese leader's belief in the Soviet Union's willingness to help. At a deeper cognitive level, there was a reason why Chiang Kai-shek and his associates clung to the belief that not only Soviet aid but also direct Soviet participation in the hostilities was imminent. This aligned with their expectations of how a war with Japan would unfold. The Chinese General Staff's War Plan A, drafted in 1937, was based on the premise that a conflict with Japan would soon trigger a larger conflict involving either the Soviet Union or the United States. Thus, the key objective for China was to withstand the superior Japanese forces until relief could arrive from a more powerful ally, whether that be Russian or American. This strategy was not as naive as it might seem; it was based on the understanding that neither Moscow nor Washington would want to see Japanese power grow too strong on the Asian mainland. Despite the capture of Luodian and Yinhang, the Japanese continued to face significant challenges. Their grip on the Shanghai region remained highly precarious, relying on control of two isolated pockets north of Shanghai and a beleaguered garrison within the city. Due to their numerical inferiority, they were under intense pressure from Chinese forces. The landings at Wusong and Chuanshakou had initially bolstered the manpower in the Shanghai area by fewer than 8,000 troops, and although reinforcements were gradually arriving, the pace was slow. Matsui Iwane recognized the need for a more radical increase in troop levels to achieve a decisive outcome. By the end of August, he cabled Tokyo, arguing that to complete the operation successfully, he required a total of five divisions or at a minimum the release of the 11th Division's Amaya Detachment, currently stationed in northeast China, to reunite with the division at Chuanshakou. The Japanese imperial staff and navy command responded mostly favorably, agreeing to redirect the detachment to Shanghai alongside several units of the elite marines. One week after the landings, Wusong Fort continued to pose a significant problem for the 3rd Division and the navy, which was responsible for supplying the division. Chinese artillery fire made anchoring near the landing zone a perilous endeavor, resulting in several naval officers being killed when caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. At times, the shelling was so severe that vessels had to interrupt their operations and retreat to a berth in the middle of the Huangpu River, unloading only part of their supplies. Matsui now planned for the 3rd Division to launch a frontal assault on Wusong, while the 11th Division would maintain a support role, dispatching only one regiment to assist. The attack commenced at 10:00 am on August 31rd. Following an intensive naval and aerial bombardment involving 30 planes, a regiment from the 3rd Division boarded landing craft, sailed down the Huangpu River, and landed on the riverbank north of Wusong. Throughout the afternoon and into the evening, the soldiers engaged in fierce skirmishes with scattered Chinese units in front of Wusong in preparation for a final entry into the city. Meanwhile, the Asama Detachment from the 11th Division initiated its part of the offensive by marching along the bank of the Yangtze toward Shizilin. On the morning of September 1st, the Japanese tightened their grip on Wusong. The regiment from the 3rd Division seized a hamlet west of Wusong and readied for an assault on the town itself. The defending Chinese forces put up strong resistance, and it was not until late afternoon that the Japanese made any significant progress, aided by artillery fire from their ships. The Asama Detachment experienced somewhat greater success that day, successfully capturing the fort at Shizilin in the afternoon. The Japanese launched their final offensive against Wusong at dawn on the 2nd. To their surprise, the fort fell with relative ease. By 10:00 am, Matsui saw the Rising Sun flag hoisted over Wusong. “I felt boundless gratification,” he noted in his diary.  With the fall of Wusong, the town of Baoshan became the last major obstacle to uninterrupted Japanese control of the riverbank, stretching from Chuanshakou to the outskirts of Shanghai. The fort at Baoshan also posed a significant threat to Japanese naval operations due to its strategic location at the confluence of the Yangtze and Huangpu rivers. Chiang Kai-shek fully recognized the importance of Baoshan and ordered a battalion of the 98th Infantry Division to hold the town at all costs. Baoshan had one notable advantage: like many ancient Chinese towns, it was encircled by a thick city wall that had historically helped fend off invaders and still served its defensive purpose well. The Japanese were acutely aware that Baoshan favored defense, and even a small contingent of Chinese forces could potentially hold out for an extended period.  On the 4th, the 3rd Division sluggishly advanced toward Baoshan. Around mid-afternoon, an artillery unit arrived to assist by bombarding the city wall. Despite this support, the Japanese soldiers, sent in waves to scale the wall, suffered significant casualties and failed to penetrate the defenses by nightfall. At noon on September 5, Japanese bombers launched an air raid on Baoshan, while naval artillery rained shells indiscriminately over the town's gray roofs. The land attack began an hour later when Japanese tanks advanced toward the town gates. The Japanese pressed the Chinese defenders into a shrinking perimeter. By sunset, the defenders were left with only 100 soldiers. The night passed without incident, as the Japanese refrained from attacking without air support, but everyone knew that dawn would herald the end. Just as the sun rose above the horizon, the assault resumed. As the city neared its fall, the defending commander Yao Ziqing ordered a soldier to escape and report the situation to his superiors. Unnoticed by the Japanese, the soldier scaled a wall and fled into the surrounding countryside, becoming the sole survivor of the battle. He carried with him a message from the battalion: “We are determined to stay at our posts and to continue fighting the enemy until each and every one of us is killed.” 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. Despite initial Chinese hopes for a counteroffensive by the newly arrived 36th Infantry Division, their inexperience and poor coordination led to heavy losses. As the Japanese gained reinforcements, they executed strategic landings at Chuanshakou and Wusong, overwhelming Chinese defenses. Amidst escalating casualties, Chinese troops struggled to maintain morale. However, their resolve to fight persisted, even as defeat loomed over the besieged city and its defenders.

In this episode, we will cover Gavriil Ilizarov, the Soviet surgeon who created what is now known as the Ilizarov Apparatus, which is used to heal complex bone fractures and lengthen limbs. We'll discuss his life story, how he made his discovery, and its spread beyond the USSR. Along the way, we'll find out where the term 'quack' comes from, the origin of the word 'orthopaedics', and much more!

Only about one in five Americans was born before the “Mars Era” – before the first spacecraft visited the Red Planet. That first encounter took place 60 years ago today, beginning six decades of Mars exploration. Mariner 4 was launched in late 1964. A sister craft had failed. And early Soviet efforts failed as well. That inspired jokes about a “great galactic ghoul” eating Mars-bound probes. Mariner 4 had eluded the ghoul for seven months. AUDIO: Then, July 14th: Encounter Day. This is Mariner control. All systems are green. And as this NASA film explained, they stayed green. AUDIO: The shutter is operating, the TV sees the planet, the recorder is working. Mariner skimmed just 6100 miles from Mars. It snapped 21 pictures. The images depicted a landscape of craters and volcanic plains. They made Mars look like a dead planet. Yet Mars exploration continued. Later missions revealed that Mariner 4 was unlucky – it scanned an unusually desolate strip. Today, we know that Mars has an active atmosphere. Ice lurks just below its surface. And it once was warm and wet, with rivers flowing across its surface, perhaps filling a giant ocean – making Mars a possible home for life. Today, a half-dozen orbiters and rovers are exploring the planet. And others are being planned – extending a legacy of exploration that began six decades ago. Script by Damond Benningfield

In this supplement to the Soviet-Afghan war series, we examine the experiences of both Soviet and Afghan women on either side of this conflict. Soviet women served in many roles, including military and civilian, and endured many of the same experiences of the men - though one group of Soviet women, the mothers, may have suffered the most. And Afghan women had it even worse, caught between the Soviet destruction and their own radicals in the Mujahideen, the promises and cruelties of two ideologies.What both groups of women shared was that their experiences were always different from those of the men. War, after all, has an unwomanly face.Sources & Maps: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/the-soviet-afghan-war-series-more-maps-and-sources-part-i-and-soviet-army-short-round

 When  I read the first chapter of Turning Toward Eden, I laughed so hard and enjoyed it so much that I immediately flipped back to the beginning and read it again. Listen in to see why. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Cate Touryan has written a brilliant book that takes place in the early seventies on California's central coast. Amid family drama and the threat of local "commies," Eden is trying to figure out who she is and what life is all about. The whole thing feels like my childhood. I lived in the area, spent lots of time there, and man do I love it. There aren't enough books that take place in the late sixties and early seventies, but Cate has written a brilliant one to add to every reader's shelves.  I'm not quite done, but I am loving the read. Turning Toward Eden by Cate Touryan  “Chasing the truth, huh? Sure, you're not running from it?” Hollis might be her only friend, a lanky boy Mama calls her “beau,” but Eden Lewis has no time for his hogwash. She's got a mystery to crack. For most fourteen-year-olds, California summers in the early 1970s mean sun and surf, despite the Cold War chill. Not for Eden. Her AWOL father has sent her life into a tailspin, landing her in a shabby beach town, stuck caring for her severely disabled brother. Caught in her parents' own cold war, Eden ditches Dex at every chance—pier fishing with Hollis, playing poker with the grizzled card sharks, and caterwaulin' in the church choir, laying plain to the Almighty that singing terms ain't the same as speaking terms, what with the hand he's dealt her. Then Raven arrives mid-ninth grade—an elusive Soviet girl rumored to rain black-winged curses over the fearful town. When a rash of petty crimes escalates to bloodshed on the beach, suspicion falls on the “commie”—and then Eden. Desperate to prove herself innocent, and Raven guilty, she embarks on a reckless game of chase. But for the truth to set her free, she must risk Dex's life. Will she go all in, no matter the cost? An evocative story laced with mystery, Turning Toward Eden weaves nostalgia with grit, sorrow with humor, and despair with faith, offering hope to anyone who has sought to belong in a world that rarely plays fair. "This is storytelling at its most atmospheric—brimming with quirky, well-drawn characters, razor-sharp prose, and the kind of setting you can almost smell. The writing is lyrical, grounded, and often laugh-out-loud funny—even in the midst of deeply poignant moments. With a cast of endearing misfits and a tone reminiscent of Southern Gothic charm, this story lures you in from the very first line and doesn't let go. Cate Touryan has a truly original voice, a rare gift for language, and a special ability to render a world so vivid you feel baptized in it." — Zena Dell Lowe, Screenwriter, Story Coach, and Founder of The Storyteller's Mission Audiobook Coming Soon! The audiobook edition of Turning Toward Eden is in production and on its way to Audible, iTunes, and beyond. Stay tuned for a richly narrated experience, perfect for readers who love stories on the go. Learn more about Cate on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Our focus this episode is the cinematic exploration of the film "Miracle," which recounts the remarkable triumph of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team against the formidable Soviet squad. We delve into the nuances of this historical event, examining the intricate dynamics of coaching under Herb Brooks, portrayed by Kurt Russell, and the profound implications of such a victory on national pride and identity. The conversation traverses various themes, including the emotional resonance of the film, the authentic representation of the athletes' struggles, and the fine line between creative license and historical accuracy. As we engage with the complexities of this iconic sports narrative, we reflect on the cultural significance it holds, not only within the realm of sports but also as a metaphor for resilience and perseverance. Ultimately, this episode serves as an invitation to revisit a pivotal moment in sports history through the lens of cinema, enhancing our understanding of both the film and the real events it depicts.Support us:https://www.patreon.com/whatsourverdictEmail us: hosts@whatsourverdict.comFollow us:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatsourverdictTwitter: @whatsourverdictInstagram: @whatsourverdictYouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC-K_E-ofs3b85BnoU4R6liAVisit us:www.whatsourverdict.com

About 20 years ago, the Russian state began a large-scale operation to take control of Orthodox parishes all over Europe. Some of these had, over time, broken ties with the Moscow patriarchate. They're now the object of legal cases pitting the Russian Federation against local associations created to run these expatriate churches during the Soviet era. In April, a court in the French city of Nice ruled that a church and historic cemetery there rightfully belonged to Russia, rather than to the local cultural association. For some of its parishioners, seeing the French justice system side with the country waging war against Ukraine has been hard to accept. Descendants of the Russian tsars, on the other hand, welcome this decision. FRANCE 24's Elena Volochine reports.

This week, the housing Minister unveiled new rules allowing studio flats as small as 32 square metres. But are these moves for smaller apartments harkening back to Soviet style housing models? All to discuss with Orla Hegarty, Architect & Assistant Professor at the UCD School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy.

Flowers Through Concrete: Explorations in Soviet Hippieland (Oxford University Press, 2021) is the first chronological history of Soviet hippies, tracing their beginnings in the 1960s through the movement's maturity and ritualization in the 1970s. It is also a rich analysis of key aspects of Soviet hippiedom, including ideology, kaif, materiality, and madness - both enacted and imposed. Flowers Through Concrete uncovers, in particular, the lost history of women who participated in the Soviet hippie movement. Fürst makes a number of important arguments in Flowers Through Concrete. Despite obvious antagonisms, she argues that Soviet hippies and late Soviet socialist reality meshed so well that a stable symbiotic, although hostile, relationship emerged. She asserts that personal evidence, such as oral history, is "one of the most exciting historical sources, whose weaknesses sometimes work for rather than against the historian". She engages seriously with and makes visible the role of her own authorial self-reflection in historical analysis. And, last but not least, as Fürst herself says, the story of Soviet hippies is a really good story. Amanda Jeanne Swain, PhD. Historian. Humanities Center executive director. Navigating academic systems with faculty and grad students. 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

Flowers Through Concrete: Explorations in Soviet Hippieland (Oxford University Press, 2021) is the first chronological history of Soviet hippies, tracing their beginnings in the 1960s through the movement's maturity and ritualization in the 1970s. It is also a rich analysis of key aspects of Soviet hippiedom, including ideology, kaif, materiality, and madness - both enacted and imposed. Flowers Through Concrete uncovers, in particular, the lost history of women who participated in the Soviet hippie movement. Fürst makes a number of important arguments in Flowers Through Concrete. Despite obvious antagonisms, she argues that Soviet hippies and late Soviet socialist reality meshed so well that a stable symbiotic, although hostile, relationship emerged. She asserts that personal evidence, such as oral history, is "one of the most exciting historical sources, whose weaknesses sometimes work for rather than against the historian". She engages seriously with and makes visible the role of her own authorial self-reflection in historical analysis. And, last but not least, as Fürst herself says, the story of Soviet hippies is a really good story. Amanda Jeanne Swain, PhD. Historian. Humanities Center executive director. Navigating academic systems with faculty and grad students. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/eastern-european-studies

John Michael Godier is a scientist and an avid follower in the UFO phenomena. He hosts the Event Horizon podcast and has a huge YouTube channer of the same name. He's also the author of two science fiction novels. He's spoken to everyone even remotely in field from Professor Avi Loeb to the disclosure skeptics and advocates. We discuss many of the recent stories including the disclosure efforts from certain nations, our interstellar visitors, the Ferme paradox, etc. We also visit some issues that aren't well reported as they occurred in the Soviet Union during the Cold War. I want to thank our mutual friend, Kristaps, for helping to put this together. If you'd like to support his work and The Eastern Border show, he has authentic Soviet era war plan maps recently found in a Latvian warehouse. Prices are reasonable and these are one of a kind authentic pieces of history. Please email Kris at theeasternborder@gmail.com. 

In this episode of The Power Vertical Podcast, host Brian Whitmore speaks with Jeff Mankoff about rising tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan following a brutal crackdown and arrests on both sides. They explore how Azerbaijan's assertiveness reflects shifting power dynamics in the former Soviet space and its growing confidence after victory in Karabakh. The conversation also covers Azerbaijan's energy clout, ties to Turkey, and Moscow's costs from escalating tensions. Later, they examine Russia's faltering effort to rally the Global South against the West, with BRICS losing momentum.

Mini-podcast about an event on this day in working class history.Our work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory.No Beer No Work merchandiseSee all of our anniversaries each day, alongside sources and maps on the On This Day section of our Stories app: stories.workingclasshistory.com/date/todayBrowse all Stories by Date here on the Date index: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/dateCheck out our Map of historical Stories: https://map.workingclasshistory.comCheck out books, posters, clothing and more in our online store, here: https://shop.workingclasshistory.comIf you enjoy this podcast, make sure to check out our flagship longform podcast, Working Class History.  AcknowledgementsWritten and edited by Working Class History.Theme music by Ricardo Araya. Check out his YouTube channel at youtube.com/@peptoattackBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/on-this-day-in-working-class-history--6070772/support.

We finish off our “must-see” pairing this week with 1964's dark comedy Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.A disturbed American military officer takes it upon himself to attempt a bombing of Russia to protect the American people from Soviet control.Directed by: Stanley KubrickBased on the novel Red Alert by Peter GeorgeWritten by: Stanley Kubrick, Peter George, and Terry SouthernStarring: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, and Slim PickensCome on in and have a listen! What do you think of this movie? What are others like it you enjoyed? We'd love to hear from you! Please like, follow, subscribe, share.

We're approaching the end of season 7 with this week's entry Executive Decision. Starring Kurt Russell, Steven Seagal, and Halle Berry. A notorious terrorist has hijacked a plane heading to DC with the deadly Soviet nerve agent DZ-5. It's up to Dr. David Grant (Kurt Russell), and Lt. Colonel Austin Travis (Steven Seagal) to save the plane and the free world.Support the showCatch new episodes of the Where to Stick It Podcast every Tuesday and Thursday. If you like the show, please consider supporting us on Patreon where we upload exclusive content each month for only $3 a month.

More mayors under arrest in Turkey, and press freedom takes centre stage at the DW Global Media Forum. Later in the show: spotlight on journalists in the post-Soviet space, from pens to protest: a portrait of the Italian cartoonist Gianluca Costantini, and what can Germany learn from Estonia when it comes to digitalisation? ++ Check out Gianluca's drawings: https://www.channeldraw.org/ ++&maca=en-podcast_inside-europe-949-xml-mrss

On this Salcedo Storm Podcast:Gordon Chang is one of the leading experts on communist China. He's the author of “The Great U.S. -China tech war,” and the author of “The Coming Collapse Of China.”

Lisa Lukinskaya was born in a Lithuanian shtetl and survived the war when nuns in a nearby convent took her in. At war's end she went home to find that her 23-year-old husband had been killed but at least the rest of her family had survived. Lisa tells us of starting over when the family moved to Vilnius and that's where she met a dashing Soviet officer.Lisa Lukinskaya's story was read for us by Tina Grey in London. Lisa was interviewed in Vilnius in 2005 by Zhanna Litinskaya. 

Leo Luster grew up in Vienna speaking German and Yiddish. He and his parents were deported to Terezin in 1942. While his mother remained there, Leo and his father were sent on to Auschwitz, then a series of work camps. One morning Leo saw that the German guards had fled. He stepped outside to see a Soviet soldier pointing a rifle at him. Leo blurted out, in Yiddish, “I'm a Jew!” The soldier lowered his rifle and replied in Yiddish, “So am I.”The actor Steve Furst read's Leo's story for us. Leo was interviewed in Tel Aviv and Vienna by Tanja Eckstein in 2010.

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 149 - A LOOK AT TWO INSPIRATIONAL FILMS - with Joe Walker - Part 1 In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, editor Joe Walker (Season 1, Episode 35) returns for the first half of a two-part discussion about the filmmaking behind two of our favourite films: Richard Brooks' IN COLD BLOOD and Jean-Pierre Melville's ARMY OF SHADOWS. The films may contrast in their expression of cinematic storytelling with each other and with films made today, but we find, over the course of these two episodes, that both films share and build on the fundamental elements of what makes a movie, a movie. This episode focuses on IN COLD BLOOD, and we discuss how the film frequently subverts expectations through its structure, cinematography, and editing. Joe also breaks down composer Quincy Jones' evocative score, and he reveals how the film radically flew in the face of a soon-to-be-abandoned Hays Code. Additionally, we look at the innovations in filmmaking technologies and techniques from cinema's youth to the 1960s, and Joe presents his theory of the 30-year-cycle of evolution in the film industry. Plus, we take a moment to consider the links between Soviet propaganda's understanding of montage and the modern analytics and algorithms that manipulate how images are presented on the internet today.  - Recommended Viewing: IN COLD BLOOD (1967), ARMY OF SHADOWS (1969) - This episode is sponsored by Aputure & Barco

In a fiery discussion, the hosts react to the unprecedented criminal referrals of former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey. They detail how Brennan and Comey allegedly knew the Steele dossier was fabricated by Hillary Clinton's campaign but still used it to justify spying on Donald Trump's team and to mislead Congress and the public. Drawing parallels to Soviet-era intelligence corruption, the hosts condemn what they call felony-level perjury and illegal surveillance, contrasting the lack of accountability for powerful officials with everyday Americans punished for minor offenses. As media narratives prepare to paint Trump as a dictator for pursuing justice, the conversation underscores why many see this as a long-overdue reckoning.

In a fiery broadcast, hosts dissect the shocking rift within MAGA circles after Trump defended Pam Bondi amid growing calls for her resignation over the Epstein investigation. The conversation exposes how a widely circulated jail video, once claimed to prove Epstein's suicide, in fact did not show his cell at all—fueling renewed suspicion and anger. The segment then pivots to allegations that Democrats are endangering ICE agents by pushing legislation to unmask them, likening current tactics to pre-Soviet revolutionary terror. The hosts warn that political violence and intimidation could escalate into a campaign to permanently reshape America's political system.

A deep divide erupts within MAGA ranks as Trump's defense of Pam Bondi triggers backlash over the mishandling of the Epstein case—sparked by revelations that key surveillance footage didn't even show Epstein's cell. Simultaneously, outrage grows over a new Democrat-led bill that would force ICE agents to unmask, despite recent violent ambushes against them. The discussion escalates into claims that the Democratic Party is deploying tactics reminiscent of pre-Soviet revolutionaries, with accusations of orchestrated political terror, street violence, and efforts to silence opposition—all in pursuit of permanent one-party rule.

How This Is Building Me, hosted by world-renowned oncologist D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD, is a podcast focused on the highs and lows, ups and downs of all those involved with cancer, cancer medicine, and cancer science across the full spectrum of life's experiences. In this episode, Dr Camidge sat down with Catharine Young, PhD, who is currently a senior fellow at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. Young was formerly the assistant director of Cancer Moonshot Policy and International Engagement in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy in Washington, DC. Camidge and Young, a South African–born scientist, discussed Young's journey from Johannesburg to Charlotte, North Carolina. Young shared that after undergrad, where she majored in biology, she joined a post-baccalaureate fellowship at the National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, sparking her passion for research. This led her to pursue a PhD in biomedical sciences at the University of Missouri, focusing on the brain's role in regulating blood pressure. Catherine noted the challenges of changing labs mid-PhD and her eventual decision to step away from academia. During her postdoc, Young was inspired by her advisor's science policy fellowship, leading her to pursue a fellowship herself. She was matched with the US Department of Defense, working on chemical and biological threat reduction in former Soviet states and West Africa during the Ebola outbreak. Though she described the experience was eye-opening, she eventually shifted career paths, realizing that long-term government work wasn't the right fit for her career goals. From there, Young worked for the British Embassy in Washington, DC, bridging UK and US science priorities. She then joined the Biden Cancer Initiative, continuing the Cancer Moonshot's momentum through its ups and downs. Young reflected on how her variety of experiences led her to launch the Cancer Moonshot to new heights as she worked to advance cancer research and patient care through cancer-related policy and global engagement. Young concluded by highlighting her passion for continuing to expand medical treatment access worldwide.

How This Is Building Me, hosted by world-renowned oncologist D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD, is a podcast focused on the highs and lows, ups and downs of all those involved with cancer, cancer medicine, and cancer science across the full spectrum of life's experiences. In this episode, Dr Camidge sat down with Catharine Young, PhD, who is currently a senior fellow at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. Young was formerly the assistant director of Cancer Moonshot Policy and International Engagement in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy in Washington, DC. Camidge and Young, a South African–born scientist, discussed Young's journey from Johannesburg to Charlotte, North Carolina. Young shared that after undergrad, where she majored in biology, she joined a post-baccalaureate fellowship at the National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, sparking her passion for research. This led her to pursue a PhD in biomedical sciences at the University of Missouri, focusing on the brain's role in regulating blood pressure. Catherine noted the challenges of changing labs mid-PhD and her eventual decision to step away from academia. During her postdoc, Young was inspired by her advisor's science policy fellowship, leading her to pursue a fellowship herself. She was matched with the US Department of Defense, working on chemical and biological threat reduction in former Soviet states and West Africa during the Ebola outbreak. Though she described the experience was eye-opening, she eventually shifted career paths, realizing that long-term government work wasn't the right fit for her career goals. From there, Young worked for the British Embassy in Washington, DC, bridging UK and US science priorities. She then joined the Biden Cancer Initiative, continuing the Cancer Moonshot's momentum through its ups and downs. Young reflected on how her variety of experiences led her to launch the Cancer Moonshot to new heights as she worked to advance cancer research and patient care through cancer-related policy and global engagement. Young concluded by highlighting her passion for continuing to expand medical treatment access worldwide.

Mari-Liis LuhaSales DirectorTaisto Bussid | EuropeMari-Liis Luha is the heart behind our partnerships. With a background in hospitality, sales, and team management, she leads the sales department at Taisto Bussid with care, clarity, and purpose.As the main point of contact for travel agencies, tour operators, and corporate clients, Mari-Liis ensures every collaboration is smooth, efficient, and built on trust. She combines over a decade of experience in customer-facing roles with a deep understanding of the travel and transport industry to find solutions that truly work – whether it's a simple airport pickup or a full-scale tour across Europe.Passionate about both people and logistics, she's a natural at keeping both clients and our internal teams aligned. Her proactive approach and attention to detail have earned her long-term client relationships and a reputation for getting things done with a smile.summaryIn this episode of the Big World Made Small podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Mari-Liis Luha, the sales director of Taisto Bus Company in Estonia. They discuss Mari-Liis' journey in the tourism industry, her experiences growing up in Estonia during the Soviet era, and the significant changes in the country's economy and travel landscape. Mari-Liis shares insights into the evolution of travel, the importance of flexibility in the tourism business, and her passion for her job. The conversation also touches on the balance between work and family life, as well as advice for those looking to enter the tourism industry.takeawaysMari-Liis Luha has been with Taisto Bus Company for nearly 25 years.Estonia has undergone significant economic transformation since gaining independence.Traveling by bus was popular in Estonia due to financial constraints on air travel.Cultural exchanges with Germany during her youth sparked Mari's interest in languages.Flexibility is crucial in the tourism industry due to changing client needs.Mari-Liis' passion for her job keeps her motivated after many years in the industry.The importance of education was instilled in Mari from a young age.Estonia is becoming increasingly advanced in digital citizenship and business.Traveling with children requires adapting to their needs and rhythms.The tourism industry is dynamic, with new challenges arising regularly. Learn more about Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.

In this week's episode of then & now, we're joined by Benjamin Nathans, Alan Charles Kors Endowed Term Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk about his recent book, To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause: The Many Lives of the Soviet Dissident Movement (Princeton University Press, 2024)—which was awarded the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction and the 2025 Pushkin House Book Prize. Ben offers an in-depth analysis of the Soviet dissident movement, foregrounding both canonical figures and a diverse array of lesser-known activists who contested the legitimacy of the Soviet state through a strategy of "civil obedience"—that is, by appealing to Soviet law itself. Drawing extensively on primary sources—including personal diaries, private correspondence, and KGB interrogation transcripts—Ben elucidates the intellectual and legal tacks that dissidents employed to expose the contradictions within the Soviet system. Ben situates the Soviet dissident experience within broader historiographical debates on human rights, legal studies, and the politics of memory, offering critical insights into the transnational significance of dissent under authoritarian regimes. Benjamin Nathans is the Alan Charles Kors Endowed Term Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches and writes about Imperial Russia and the Soviet Union, modern European Jewish history, and the history of human rights. His most recent book, To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause: The Many Lives of the Soviet Dissident Movement (Princeton University Press, 2024), was awarded the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction and the 2025 Pushkin House Book Prize. He has published articles on Habermas and the public sphere in eighteenth-century France, Russian-Jewish historiography, Soviet dissident memoirs, and many other topics. He is a regular contributor to the New York Review of Books and the Times Literary Supplement.

FBI agent Robert Hanssen was one of the most damaging spies in US history. From 1979 to 2001, Hanssen delivered some of the United States governments' most sensitive secrets to Soviet and Russian agents, who used them to not only undermine US national security, but to identify and execute individuals who were working with the FBI. And despite an awareness of spies working within the FBI, Hanssen managed to operate for more than two decades before finally getting caught. In this episode we speak with CBS News' Major Garrett, whose new podcast Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen, explores Hanssen's decision to spy on the US and how he managed to operate for so long without being caught. A thoroughly researched history with all the turns of a great true crime podcast, we think you'll enjoy Agent of Betrayal, available on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts. This episode originally aired as episode 287 on October 16, 2023. This rebroadcast was edited by Ben Sawyer.