CNN has a fascinating 4-part Chernobyl docuseries: Disaster: The Chernobyl Meltdown.
And in the first episode, there’s an interview with a dude who worked at the CIA. Back in 1986, when the dude was barely 30 years old, the CIA started hearing rumours of a Russian nuclear explosion.
So, his solution was to use one of their satellites to obtain photos and confirm the rumours. However, he had to wait for the next day—24 hours—to get the satellite photos. (Which, of course, confirmed Chernobyl went boom.)
But 24 hours to secure grainy satellite photos?! That’s terrible spycraft.
How did you guys manage the Cold War?!
No wonder Soviet sleeper agents were living as Americans with an extensive wig collection.
I don’t remember Tom Clancy novels being that slow. Yes, I know we used to live like that…with dial-up internet and those large floppy disks, but I thought—even in 1986!—the CIA would be more advanced.
Nope.
The ‘80s man…it was the best of times and the worst of times. (And that honest statement applies to all the big hair.)
Sammy Verdict: This docuseries marking the 40th anniversary of the unprecedented nuclear tragedy. And as an ‘80s kid, it was the first time I learned what actually happened and how it all went down. Wow.
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Sammy Younan is the affable host of My Summer Lair podcast: think NPR’s Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.
