Politics of Armageddon: Politburo Marching Orders D+20 (29 July, 1987)

The Politburo meeting began at 3 PM promptly. Every member was in attendance, both full and junior. Most of these men had been evacuated from the city in the aftermath of the nuclear strikes on Madrid and the Canadian military base in the far north. They had been out of the loop for over 24 …

D+20 Politics of Armageddon: Chebrikov’s Request

The first members of the Politburo to return to Moscow were the members belonging to the Defense Council. This group of men arrived at the Kremlin shortly after 2:00 AM local time and went directly into conference with the General Secretary. Over the next six hours, the rest of the Politburo members, full and candidate, …

D+18 1201-1600 Zulu 27 July, 1987 Part II

Greene, FRG 1240 Zulu (1440 Local Time) His presence on the western bank of the Leine was giving his security detail, as well as 2nd Brigade’s commander fits. 1st Cavalry Division’s commander Major General John Yeosock understood this but did not allow it to deter him from coming forward to personally observe operations. The river …

D+18 0000-0400 Zulu 27 July, 1987 Part III

Moscow, USSR 0300 Zulu, 27 July, 1987 (0600 local time) The Defense Council reconvened in the Kremlin promptly at 6 AM. Marshal Akhromeyev and General Snetkov were the last men to enter the room. The newly minted CINC-West was aware of the eyes on him, particularly those of the General Secretary. Romanov studied the army …

The Politics of Global War: A Crucial Day in Moscow Part IV

The KGB Chairman revealed the deceit and fraudulence in the Defense Minister’s reports from earlier in the afternoon, as well as those from previous days. Yazov had knowingly sugarcoated the facts to make them more palatable. His motivation was simple; Buy time until the fortunes of the Soviet military were reversed. Yazov, for whatever reason, …

The Politics of Global War: A Crucial Day in Moscow Part I

“I fear Grigory Vasilyevich is not being entirely truthful with the Politburo about the progress of the war.” The danger invested in expressing this sentiment was apparent at once. Especially when spoken within the boundaries of the Soviet Union in the last days of July, 1987. The fact that it came from the mouth of …

The Politics of Global War: Dueling Dangers in Moscow D+14 (23 July, 1987) Part I

Author’s Note: Sorry, folks. Had to shorten this post due to real life butting into my writing time today. But I think I can safely say this is the last time it will happen in 2020. 😊 Part II on Tuesday will be longer than usual. 23 July, 1987 is the point in time that …

The Politics of Global War: In the Shadow of Escalation Part I

In the last forty-eight hours leading up to the start of hostilities in early July, 1987, officials from the United States and Soviet governments undertook a series of clandestine meetings in Zurich, Switzerland. These meetings were not eleventh-hour negotiations aimed at averting war. By this point it was a generally accepted fact in Washington, Moscow, …

The Politics of Global War: The Restive Kremlin D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part III

Present conditions in the Northwestern TVD (NWTVD) were far from ideal. Every man seated at the conference table was aware of troubles and issues in the north but not the extent of them. This included General Secretary Romanov. Marshal Akhromeyev understood this was his time to speak the unfettered truth. Failure to do so would …

The Politics of Global War: The Restive Kremlin D+11 (20 July, 1987) Part II

Marshal Akhromeyev started with Germany. He did not exaggerate or diverge from the truth, yet presented only as many details as were necessary to support the briefing. The Red Army was advancing-slower than expected but still moving west. The reasons for the slow progress were summarized swiftly with Akhromeyev careful not to dwell, or allow …