Ep 4. The KGB

The Cold War Season 1 Episode 4: The KGB

In the fourth episode of The Cold War, viewers are given an in-depth look at the Soviet Union's intelligence agency, the KGB. The episode explores the agency's history, structure, and tactics, shedding light on its role in the Cold War.

The episode begins with a brief overview of the KGB's formation in 1954 and its role as a successor to the Soviet Union's previous intelligence agencies. It then delves into the agency's structure, which includes five Directorates responsible for intelligence gathering, counterintelligence, security of the state, border guards, and secret communication.

Viewers are introduced to key figures within the KGB, including its Chairman at the time, Yuri Andropov, who later became the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. The episode features interviews with former KGB members, shedding light on the agency's recruitment process, which often involved selecting individuals as young as 16 years old.

The episode also explores the KGB's tactics, including the use of informants and spies to gather intelligence from foreign governments and organizations. The KGB was notorious for its use of disinformation campaigns, spreading false information through media outlets in order to manipulate public opinion both at home and abroad.

Viewers are given a glimpse into the KGB's efforts to infiltrate the United States, including the case of Aldrich Ames, a former CIA officer who was recruited by the KGB in 1985. The episode details how Ames provided the KGB with valuable intelligence for nearly a decade, ultimately leading to the capture and execution of several American agents.

The KGB's involvement in assassinations is also explored, including its role in the 1978 assassination of Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov in London. The episode delves into the use of poisons as a preferred method of assassination by the KGB, as well as its involvement in the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II in 1981.

The episode also touches on the internal workings of the KGB, including the agency's attempt to remain relevant in the face of political change. As the Soviet Union's collapse seemed inevitable, the KGB attempted to cling to power by backing a coup against Mikhail Gorbachev in 1991. The episode details the events leading up to the failed coup and its aftermath, including the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the eventual disbanding of the KGB.

Overall, The Cold War Season 1 Episode 4 is a fascinating exploration of the Soviet Union's most infamous intelligence agency. Through interviews with former KGB members and a deep dive into the agency's history, tactics, and structure, viewers are given a comprehensive look at the KGB's role in shaping the Cold War.