Today I’m reviewing the recent book by Annie Jacobsen, Biological War, about a scenario where an errant biological weapon escapes a laboratory in Russia and hits the United States. It’s a grim and disturbing book - and really interesting. I cover the book from a Cold War perspective- there’s a lot about the Soviet biological weapons program as well as a few other general points.

Today I’m reviewing the recent book by Annie Jacobsen, Biological War, about a scenario where an errant biological weapon escapes a laboratory in Russia and hits the United States. It’s a grim and disturbing book - and really interesting. I cover the book from a Cold War perspective- there’s a lot about the Soviet biological weapons program as well as a few other general points.

Biological War by Annie Jacobsen

Vladimir Putin recently visited the Kuril Islands, sparking protest from Japan. Today we’re talking about the dispute between Japan and Russia over these islands that goes all the way back to the absolute earliest days of the Cold War. We’ll cover this area’s historical past between the Ainu, Russia and Japan up through the modern talks on the islands. We’ll also spend some time on Japan’s early days of the Cold War and turn towards the US amid simmering tensions with the USSR. We’ll also cover the strategic significance of these islands for the USSR and the modern challenges they present for Japan

Vladimir Putin recently visited the Kuril Islands, sparking protest from Japan. Today we’re talking about the dispute between Japan and Russia over these islands that goes all the way back to the absolute earliest days of the Cold War. We’ll cover this area’s historical past between the Ainu, Russia and Japan up through the modern talks on the islands. We’ll also spend some time on Japan’s early days of the Cold War and turn towards the US amid simmering tensions with the USSR. We’ll also cover the strategic significance of these islands for the USSR and the modern challenges they present for Japan

Kuril Islands and Sakhalin: Japan’s Cold War Frontier

Today we’re looking at two books that ask the question of what really happens to civilization in the aftermath of nuclear war. Alas, Babylon deals with the immediate aftermath of a nuclear war up until the first year after in a small Florida town. Canticles of Liebowitz looks out over a thousand years later and the struggle to preserve scraps of knowledge from before the bomb. If civilization is cumulative and relies on building on the past, what happens when those systems of support and institutions of knowledge begin to collapse? Everyone knew nuclear war wouldn’t be pretty, but these books take a look at beyond the first order of effects for a sobering look at what was looming for mankind. While these books are different in style, they both come from a period of time (1959-60) when Americans felt particularly vulnerable, as it was believed the Soviets jumped ahead of the US in weapons technology - a sneak attack could happen any moment, they believed. These two books have a place in the canon of Cold War pop culture. Support this show by liking, subscribing, sharing, etc. and going to our family business reddragonherbs.com for unique gift ideas…or tea for yourself.

Today we’re looking at two books that ask the question of what really happens to civilization in the aftermath of nuclear war. Alas, Babylon deals with the immediate aftermath of a nuclear war up until the first year after in a small Florida town. Canticles of Liebowitz looks out over a thousand years later and the struggle to preserve scraps of knowledge from before the bomb. If civilization is cumulative and relies on building on the past, what happens when those systems of support and institutions of knowledge begin to collapse? Everyone knew nuclear war wouldn’t be pretty, but these books take a look at beyond the first order of effects for a sobering look at what was looming for mankind. While these books are different in style, they both come from a period of time (1959-60) when Americans felt particularly vulnerable, as it was believed the Soviets jumped ahead of the US in weapons technology - a sneak attack could happen any moment, they believed. These two books have a place in the canon of Cold War pop culture. Support this show by liking, subscribing, sharing, etc. and going to our family business reddragonherbs.com for unique gift ideas…or tea for yourself.

Alas, Babylon & A Canticle for Leibowitz: Can Civilization Survive Nuclear War?

Animal Farm by George Orwell was just remade into an animated film by Angel Studios. In this episode I give a little background info about Orwell, his life and the world around him to help understand Animal Farm. This is one of the earliest and most important -and most enduring- works of the Cold War. I know most of us have either read it or seen the 1951 (CIA sponsored) cartoon, so I’m mostly reaching out to people encountering it for the first time now…but maybe it’s been a while for you! Enjoy. This one is short and more off the cuff than usual.

Animal Farm by George Orwell was just remade into an animated film by Angel Studios. In this episode I give a little background info about Orwell, his life and the world around him to help understand Animal Farm. This is one of the earliest and most important -and most enduring- works of the Cold War. I know most of us have either read it or seen the 1951 (CIA sponsored) cartoon, so I’m mostly reaching out to people encountering it for the first time now…but maybe it’s been a while for you! Enjoy. This one is short and more off the cuff than usual.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

In this episode we talk about Austria, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ukraine. There’s a little something for everyone, really

Austria’s Cold War Neutrality: A Template for Ukraine?

In this episode we’ll discuss DEFCON and the Doomsday Clock. I think these topics are relevant for understanding some of the information…and misinformation about the war in Ukraine

Ukraine, DEFCON and the Doomsday Clock

The second nation to step forward for Korea was Turkey. Today we’re talking about why they got involved, their experience and the mythos surrounding the Turks. We’ll also discuss the film “Ayla: Daughter of War”

The Turkish Army in the Korean War

Recently on the Jocko podcast he discussed Mcnamara’s Folly about Project 100,000 to draft substandard men into the armed forces. Today I discuss the Cold War considerations of the plan and how it relates to current American foreign policy. I’m all over the place on this one, enjoy!

Mcnamara’s Folly from a Cold War Perspective

Of all the countries that participated in the Korean War, Ethiopia stands out as the most unique. Today we’ll tell the story of the Kagnew Battalion in Korea.

Ethiopia in the Korean War

Will Poland evoke Article IV of the North Atlantic Treaty due to tensions on the Belarus border? I don’t know, but we’ll discuss what these articles actually mean today

Poland and NATO’s Articles 4 and 5

Today we’re talking about that 1950’s Cold War classic of suspense, dread and horror “down under”, On The Beach.

On The Beach by Neil Shute

In order for NATO to work, everyone needs to be understood. Today we’re doing a quick episode about the Cold War considerations behind the NATO alphabet. Of general military interest as well

The NATO Phonetic Alphabet

The interstate system we all probably use is a product of Cold War considerations. Let’s dive into it! Feels good to be back.

The Interstate and the Cold War

Hey guys, I’m back! Too much has been left unsaid about the Cold War. I’m ready to jump back in. We’ll figure out all the details on the fly.

Welcome Back To The Cold War Cast

The history and the pop culture of the Cold War with Ryan Lewellin

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