From Russia with Rage: Soviet Election Meddling with Calder Walton

History Rage

Episode Summary

In this episode of the History Rage podcast, Calder Walton, author of "Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West," joins Paul to delve into the historical context of Russian election interference.

Key Topics:

1. Henry Wallace's Third-Party Bid: Wallace's failed third-party bid in the 1948 election, orchestrated with Stalin's input, reveals early attempts at election interference. Despite meticulous planning, Wallace's campaign imploded.

2. KGB Operations in the 1984 Election: The KGB's attempts to influence the 1984 U.S. presidential election involved recruiting agents and organizing demonstrations outside the Democratic National Convention. The strategy echoed tactics seen in the 2016 election but lacked the amplification capabilities of today's social media.

3. Soviet Exploitation of British Intelligence: The recruitment of the Cambridge spies, including Kim Philby, exposed a significant security failure in British intelligence. Soviet intelligence successfully targeted individuals from elite backgrounds who were least likely to be suspected as communist sympathizers.

4. Oleg Gordievsky's Espionage Feat: Gordievsky's remarkable role as a double agent within the KGB and head of station in London allowed him to brief both sides during crucial diplomatic negotiations. His dramatic escape from Moscow adds a cinematic touch to the espionage narrative.

5. Putin's KGB Mythology: The discussion dispels myths surrounding Vladimir Putin's KGB career, highlighting its mediocrity. Putin's attempts to project an image of deep cover illegals and elite intelligence involvement are debunked.

6. Western Covert Action During the Cold War: Efforts to destabilize the Soviet bloc during the Cold War, often through covert actions, faced internal sabotage and operational shortcomings. The asymmetry between open democracies and authoritarian states affected the effectiveness of these operations.

Recommendations and Resources:

· Calder Walton's book: "Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West"

· Texas National Security Review article by Calder Walton: "What's Old is New Again: Russian Disinformation and the 'Active Measures' Campaign"

· Follow Calder Walton on Twitter: @calder_walton

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