Closer than Cuba: the Able Archer Nuclear Crisis of 1983

It's November of 1983, the closest the world came to nuclear war, some may argue even closer than the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Yet the Able Archer 1983 exercise incident is relatively unknown by comparison. A series of events that started with the Soviet shootdown of a Korean Air Lines plane ended with not one but two almosts when it came to accidental nuclear war. This included a simulated nuclear release authority request that may have been seen in Moscow as the prelude to a first strike. How these events unfolded was a result of heightened Cold War tension, antagonism, and miscommunication. Brian Morra was a US Air Force intelligence officer who had a front-row seat to this and sits down with guest host Dr. Mark Jacobson to discuss how the world came to the brink of nuclear war. Follow us: Facebook:   / intlspymuseum   Twitter: https://www.x.com/intlspymuseum Instagram:   / spymuseum   For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit: Spymuseum.org And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at [email protected]. The International Spy Museum® is an independent nonprofit organization. Generous support from viewers like you fuel our nonprofit mission and make our collection, exhibits, and educational programs like this possible. DONATE here: https://bit.ly/3NUqU9C This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, N2K Networks, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. This episode was produced by Flora Warshaw and the team at Goat Rodeo. At the International Spy Museum, Mike Mincey and Memphis Vaughan III are our video editors. Emily Rens is our graphic designer. Joshua Troemel runs our SPY social media. Amanda Ohlke is our Director of Adult Education and Mira Cohen is the Vice President of Programs. And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at [email protected]. The Spy Museum does not endorse, approve, or support the opinions stated by guest speakers. Statements made by speakers do not represent the position or opinion of the International Spy Museum.