The field of International History reveals a world of great power politics, international diplomacy, and monumental events. However, International History Declassified seeks to take a closer look into not just the events and people of the past, but those who are studying that history today. Co-hosts Kian Byrne and Pieter Biersteker sit down with various scholars and historians to take a deeper look into the field of International History to discuss how that history is made, and where the field is headed in the future. International History Declassified is a podcast from the History and Public Policy Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

International History Declassified

In this episode of International History Declassified, Pieter and Kian sit down with author Alan McPherson to discuss his book, Ghosts of Sheridan Circle, which tells the chilling story of the assassination of Chilean dissident, Orlando Letelier.

The Ghosts of Sheridan Circle with Alan McPherson

Co-hosts Pieter Biersteker and Kian Byrne sit down with Professor Sergey Radchenko to gain some insight into the Soviet view of the Korean War. Professor Radchenko outlines some interesting archives to explore and discusses the future of the field of international history.

Stalin, Mao, and an Archival Examination of the Korean War with Sergey Radchenko

Esteemed historian Samuel Wells joins co-hosts Pieter Biersteker and Kian Byrne to discuss the broader context of the Korean War and how US President Harry Truman made the decision to involve the US in the conflict.  According to Dr. Wells, much of our understanding of the Korean War today is due to the opening of the former Soviet archives in the early 1990s.

US Decision-Making and the Outbreak of the Korean War with Samuel Wells

In the first episode of International History Declassified, co-hosts Pieter Biersteker and Kian Byrne speak with Dr. Charles Kraus of the History and Public Policy Program about the origins of the Korean War and the Chinese perspective. Dr. Kraus explains the role of Mao Zedong in the decision to invade South Korea, and how Chinese see the war today.

The Korean War from the Chinese Perspective with Charles Kraus

In this episode of International History Declassified, Kian and Pieter speak with Dr. Mariana Budjeryn of Harvard University's Belfer Center. Dr. Budjeryn explains the significance of the Budapest Memorandum, which was signed 25 years ago on the heels of the collapse of the Soviet Union, and which made Ukraine one of the few countries to give up its nuclear arsenal. Dr. Budjeryn also provides fascinating insight into her experiences researching in Ukrainian archives and interviewing Soviet generals.

Ukrainian Nuclear History and the Budapest Memorandum with Mariana Budjeryn

In our latest episode, we explore the archives of the Dominican Republic and Latin American Cold War history with René Cordero of Brown University. René explains his work with the Dominican section of Opening the Archives project, and tells of a personal connection he discovered while conducting research in Santo Domingo.

Opening the Dominican Archives with René Cordero

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The Ghosts of Sheridan Circle with Alan McPherson

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