Frontline Season 11 Episode 19 Ashes of the Cold War

Frontline season 11 episode 19 is titled "Ashes of the Cold War," and it explores the aftermath of the Soviet Union's collapse. The program investigates the various changes that have taken place in post-Soviet Russia, the shattered dreams of new democratic movements, and the profound effects of the Cold War on the modern world.

At the start of the episode, Frontline takes us through the implosion of the Soviet Union, one of the world's most powerful and feared superpowers. This event sent shockwaves across the globe and saw the rise of new states eager to chart their own paths. However, the road to post-Soviet Russia was much bumpier, as the program details in its first few minutes.

Frontline looks at the political landscape of the early 1990s, where democratic movements sprang up across Russia. The program takes viewers through Boris Yeltsin's rise to power and how he tried to transform Russia into a modern, Western-style democracy. The episode also explores how the United States got involved in Russia's transition to democracy, with advisors and aid flooding in from the West.

However, as Ashes of the Cold War progresses, it becomes clear that the story is not one of success. The episode highlights how the challenges facing Russia after the Soviet collapse were immense, from widespread poverty to rampant corruption. With the new democracy failing to make much progress, Russians began to embrace nationalism, a trend that endures to this day.

Frontline also examines how the dismantling of the Soviet Union affected the rest of the world. As the world welcomed new states into the fold, it also became more complicated. The program details how some of the newly independent states, particularly in the Caucasus region, were plunged into civil war and ethnic conflict. The United States was also faced with difficult choices as it sought to fill the power vacuum left by the Soviet Union's demise.

Throughout the episode, Frontline speaks with a variety of experts and those who lived through the post-Soviet era in Russia. These voices include politicians, scholars, journalists, and artists, who reflect on the successes and failures of the past 30 years. The program gives each of these voices ample room to share their perspectives and insights, painting a nuanced and multifaceted picture of the post-Cold War world.

Finally, as the episode nears its end, Frontline highlights how the legacy of the Cold War is still being felt today. The United States and Russia are once again at odds, and tensions that had been thought to be buried seem to have resurfaced. The program notes how some of the leaders who emerged from the post-Soviet era continue to wield power in Russia today, perpetuating the same corrupt practices that plagued the country in the 1990s. Ultimately, Ashes of the Cold War is a thought-provoking look at one of the most consequential periods of modern history.

In conclusion, this episode of Frontline offers a comprehensive look at the aftermath of the Soviet Union's fall. It covers a wide range of topics, including the difficulties of transitioning to democracy, the rise of nationalism, the impact on the rest of the world, and the persistent legacies of the Cold War. The program is masterfully produced, utilizing expert interviews and first-hand accounts to create an engaging and informative depiction of this era. Fans of history, politics, and current events will find much to appreciate in Ashes of the Cold War.