Episode 32 - PING-PONG DIPLOMACY AND THE BEGINNINGS OF THE SINO-AMERICAN THAW (JAN-JUL 1971)

Episode 32 - PING-PONG DIPLOMACY AND THE BEGINNINGS OF THE SINO-AMERICAN THAW (JAN-JUL 1971)

Despite no military engagements with the Soviets for 2 years, continued pressure on the northern border and US stepping up attacks on Laos and Cambodia make Mao and company consider a new tactic: partially opening up the country to engagement with the West via sports competitions and friendship tours. This culminates in a secret meeting that, months prior, would be unthinkable: the meeting of Premier Zhou Enlai and US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Episode 31 - THE "INTERLUDE" AND THE SECOND LUSHAN CONFERENCE (1970)

As China marches into a new decade, class struggle goes down to a low point compared to the prior three years. However, a swift and harsh “One Strike Three Antis” Campaign causes shockwaves across Chinese political life, and Mao & Lin Biao go toe-to-toe at the Lushan Conference causing an irreparable schism between the two.

Episode 30 - COMRADES IN ARMS: CHINA-ALBANIA RELATIONS DURING THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION

During the Cultural Revolution, China experienced its greatest period of diplomatic isolation with one very notable exception: the People's Socialist Republic of Albania led by Enver Hoxha. This tiny nation, despite being thousands of miles away from China, was its closest comrade-in-arms. In this episode, we'll dive into one of the most interesting and unique stories of Cold War international relations: Sino-Albanian friendship during the Cultural Revolution.

Episode 29 - THE SINO-SOVIET BORDER CONFLICT PART 2 (MAY-DEC 1969)

Despite the afterglow of the 9th Congress, Mao and the Chinese leadership still find themselves in a tit for tat fight against the Soviets on the northeastern border that could quickly escalate into nuclear war. Meanwhile, the American ruling class on Capitol Hill begins ruminating over the possibility of using this moment to reach out to the "Red Chinese." Can China stands its ground in between the two superpowers in the midst of the Cultural Revolution?

Episode 28 - THE 9TH CONGRESS & THE SINO-SOVIET BORDER CONFLICT PART 1 (JAN-APR 1969)

The Communist Party of China holds its first congress since the beginning of the Cultural Revolution with great pomp and fanfare. The Maoists use the congress as a time to declare victory over the Rightists, but trouble at the Soviet border nearly brings China and the USSR to the brink of nuclear war...