Able Archer - The military exercise that almost started World War 3 - a look in the archives (269)

<p>In 1986 Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev said “Never perhaps, in the post-war decades has the situation in the world been explosive and hence more difficult and unfavourable as in the first half of the 1980s. “</p><p>He was referring to a period of immense tension between the Soviet Union and NATO when in 1983 a NATO exercise called Able Archer was believed to have almost accidentally started World War 3. <br/><br/></p><p>We delve into the Able Archer archives to talk about the most recent documents with  Francesca Akhtar, a researcher whose main research interests are US Cold War foreign policy, intelligence history and defence. <br/><br/></p><p>Francesca has written a dissertation entitled  “The most dangerous Soviet-American confrontation since the Cuban Missile Crisis?” An analysis of the origins, nature, and impact of the Able Archer 83 incident.<br/><br/>Regular listeners will remember that Francesca talked about Able Archer 83 previously in <a href='https://coldwarconversations.com/episode19-2/'>Episode 19.</a></p><p><br/></p><p><b><em>The battle to preserve Cold War history is ongoing and your support can provide me with the ammunition to continue to keep this podcast on the air. Via a simple monthly donation, you’ll become part of our community and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. <br/></em></b><br/></p><p><b><em>Just go to </em></b><a href='https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/'><b><em>https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/</em></b></a><b><em><br/></em></b><br/></p><p>If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.<br/><br/></p><p><b>View the actual Able Archer intelligence briefing documents here as well as</b> v<b>ideos, and  extra information  </b><a href='https://coldwarconversations.com/episode269/'><b>https://coldwarconversations.com/episode269/</b></a><b><br/></b><br/></p><a rel="payment" href="https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/