The Spy Who Started the Cold War | Enemy Alien | Episode 1

Podcast: The Spy Who
Host: Indira Varma and Raza Jaffrey
Release Date: September 17, 2024

Introduction

The Spy Who delves into the clandestine world of intelligence operations, focusing on individuals who risked everything for national interests—or sometimes, their own ideologies. In the inaugural episode, "Enemy Alien," the series introduces Klaus Fuchs, a brilliant nuclear physicist who becomes one of history's most significant spies, profoundly influencing the onset of the Cold War.

Early Life and Political Awakening

February 1933, Kiel, Germany

Klaus Fuchs, at 21, is established as a promising mathematics student and a committed communist. Amidst the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party, Fuchs navigates a perilous political landscape. The tragic suicide of his mother—a haunting echo of familial despair—adds layers to his motivations.

Indra Varma narrates:

“Klaus, you must always remember, Britain and America have lied. They've excluded the Soviet Union from their apocalyptic project.”
[34:18]

Fuchs's early experiences with political oppression and personal loss fuel his anti-fascist sentiments, setting the stage for his later decisions.

Fleeing Nazi Germany and Internment in Canada

July 1940, Liverpool to Quebec, Canada

Escaping Nazi persecution, Fuchs arrives in Britain but soon finds himself interned as an enemy alien—a fate shared by over 25,000 immigrants. In the cramped confines of a Canadian internment camp, Fuchs's intellectual prowess transforms the camp into a hub of academic discourse.

Indra Varma narrates:

“Fuchs and his fellow communists have turned the camp into a makeshift university. They pass the time with a program of lecture and entertainment.”
[05:25]

During his internment, Fuchs cultivates relationships that prove pivotal, notably meeting Carla, who later becomes instrumental in his recruitment by Soviet intelligence.

Recruitment by Soviet Intelligence

London, Five Months Later

Upon his release, Fuchs re-enters British society but remains under the scrutiny of MI5. Soviet intelligence officers, Colonel Simon Kramer and his agent Carla, identify Fuchs as a potential asset due to his scientific background and political affiliations.

Indra Varma narrates:

“Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler are technically allies. Passing information to the Soviets could land him back an internment or worse.”
[00:00]

At a London cocktail party, Kramer initiates contact with Fuchs, subtly probing his willingness to share theoretical advancements in atomic physics. Despite initial reservations, Fuchs's ideological alignment with the Soviet cause persuades him to cooperate.

Involvement in the Manhattan Project and Espionage Activities

September 1942, Washington, D.C. and Oxfordshire, England

Promoted to Brigadier General and assigned to the Manhattan Project, Major Leslie Groves oversees the construction of the US Military's new headquarters. Concurrently, Fuchs is integrated into the British atomic research team, collaborating closely with Rudolph Peels.

At this juncture, Fuchs becomes a critical conduit for transmitting atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. His role in the Manhattan Project provides unparalleled access to atomic research, which he methodically passes to Soviet intelligence.

Indra Varma narrates:

“Klaus, you must always remember, Britain and America have lied. They've excluded the Soviet Union from their apocalyptic project.”
[34:18]

Fuchs's espionage activities are marked by careful planning and execution. He utilizes encrypted communications, such as one-time pads, to securely transmit classified information without detection.

Critical Moments and the Impact of Espionage

November 1943, Birmingham, England

As the war intensifies, Fuchs's contributions to the atomic bomb project accelerate. The revelation of the bomb's devastating potential deepens his internal conflict, yet his commitment to preventing fascist dominance remains unwavering.

Indra Varma narrates:

“A chain reaction of implications and consequences setting off in his mind.”
[20:07]

Fuchs's espionage not only aids the Soviet Union in its post-war nuclear ambitions but also inadvertently fuels the Cold War's onset by escalating the nuclear arms race between the US and the USSR.

Conclusion and Legacy

Klaus Fuchs's journey from a persecuted German physicist to a pivotal Soviet spy underscores the complex interplay of ideology, science, and espionage during a tumultuous period in history. His actions exemplify how individual choices can have far-reaching consequences, shaping global power dynamics and the very fabric of international relations in the ensuing Cold War.

Indra Varma concludes:

“Soon he will be in America, at the heart of a nuclear weapons program with the power to change and maybe even end the world.”
[34:18]

Fuchs's legacy is a testament to the shadowy corridors of intelligence work, where personal convictions and geopolitical strategies intertwine, leaving an indelible mark on history.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Indra Varma at [00:00]:
  “If his treachery is discovered, he won't just miss his rendezvous. He will face the electric chair.”

• Indra Varma at [34:18]:
  “Klaus, you must always remember, Britain and America have lied. They've excluded the Soviet Union from their apocalyptic project.”

• Fuchs at [34:18]:
  “Soon he will be in America, at the heart of a nuclear weapons program with the power to change and maybe even end the world.”

Production Credits

The Spy Who is produced by Vespucci with writing and story editing by Yellow Ant for Wondery. This episode was written by Simon Parkin, researched by Louise Byrne, and features a talented team of producers and sound designers who bring Klaus Fuchs's story to life through meticulous research and engaging storytelling.

For more detailed explorations into the shadowy realms of espionage, subscribe to The Spy Who on Wondery+ available through the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.