As WWII comes winding down, rising atomic fears set the stage for Soviet espionage efforts at the opening of the Cold War. An unspoken race begins with the USA, United Kingdom and the Soviet Union vying to create the world's first super-weapon. New York becomes a hotbed of spy games, and soviet spies like Rudolph Abel weave intricate legends so they can work deep undercover. As the Soviet Union falls, old clandestine programs and covert operations are brought to light thanks to a collection of files called the Mitrokhin Archives.
Up Next in A Cold War of Spies - Season 1
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Spies in the Skies
In the midst of the Cold War, the desire to spy behind enemy lines leads to the development of some of the most sophisticated reconnaissance technologies the world has ever seen. The US finds a way into Soviet airspace through overflights of their top-secret stealth plane, the U-2. But the clock...
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On the Brink of Destruction
In the 1960s, both countries have a grip on nuclear weapons, but the imbalance between US and Soviet missiles is staggering. A fledgling communist government in Cuba provides the perfect opportunity for Premier Nikita Khrushchev to position missiles just off the shores of Florida. Through the hel...
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The Battle Over Hearts and Minds
At the close of WWII, the West views Stalin's government as a threat to democracy, while Stalin sees America as an obstacle in winning the 'hearts and minds' of oppressed people everywhere. Communist leaders like Romania's Nicolae Ceausescu use everything from terrorist attacks to assassinations...