The Spy Who Started the Cold War | Lost Control | Episode 4 Summary

Introduction

In the gripping fourth episode of Wondery's The Spy Who, titled "The Spy Who Started the Cold War | Lost Control," host Indira Varma delves deep into the clandestine activities of Klaus Fuchs, a pivotal figure whose espionage significantly influenced the early Cold War dynamics. This episode meticulously unpacks Fuchs' journey from his critical role in the Manhattan Project to his eventual betrayal of the United Kingdom and the United States by passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union.

Background: The Soviet Atomic Bomb Test

The episode opens in August 1949 at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan, where Igor Kurchatov, often referred to as Russia's Oppenheimer, oversees the Soviet Union's first successful atomic bomb detonation. Fuchs' betrayal becomes evident as the Soviet scientific community, having obtained blueprints from Klaus Fuchs, accelerates their nuclear program, escaping Stalin's wrath and altering the global power balance.

Discovery and Suspicion of Klaus Fuchs

Two weeks post the Soviet test, Michael Perrin, head of Britain's nuclear program, confronts Prime Minister Clement Attlee upon detecting a radioactive cloud over the Atlantic, confirming the Soviet atomic success. Perrin reveals alarming intelligence suggesting a mole within the Manhattan Project—Klaus Fuchs. Prime Minister Attlee expresses deep concern, questioning whether the mole originated from the British or Soviet side (03:31).

MI5 Surveillance and Attempts to Interrogate Fuchs

MI5 initiates surveillance on Fuchs, planting listening devices at his residence. Initial attempts to monitor Fuchs are thwarted when Henry Arnold, Harwell’s head of security, inadvertently compromises the operation with offhand remarks about Stalin's bomb, raising Fuchs' suspicions (04:14).

Over several weeks, MI5 agents meticulously follow Fuchs, noting his behavior and associations. Despite their efforts, including intricate surveillance during his visits to London’s Russian communities, MI5 agents struggle to gather concrete evidence against him. Their surveillance often yields more personal insights, like Fuchs’ relationship with his boss’s wife, Ernest Skinner, rather than incriminating espionage activities.

Fuchs’ Personal Life and Moral Conflict

As MI5 intensifies their scrutiny, Fuchs becomes increasingly aware of the surveillance. Conversations between Fuchs and his wife, Ernest, reveal his internal turmoil and ethical dilemmas. For instance, after an MI5 confrontation about his father's job in East Germany, Fuchs confesses to feeling compelled by his principles but ultimately decides to maintain his position at Harwell, despite the mounting suspicions (15:00).

Breakthrough: Fuchs' Confession and Arrest

The turning point occurs in January 1950 when MI5 officer Jim Skarden finally confronts Fuchs directly. During a tense interrogation, Fuchs, grappling with guilt and moral conflict, begins to unravel, confessing his espionage activities that started in 1941. A critical revelation comes when Skarden discovers that Fuchs passed the entire design of the atomic bomb to the Soviets—a fact previously unknown to MI5 (29:54).

Despite realizing the significance of Fuchs' betrayal, MI5 faces procedural constraints, lacking formal arrest powers. Perrin grapples with the decision to arrest Fuchs, ultimately authorizing the arrest to prevent further damage to Britain’s atomic program (30:50).

Trial and Sentencing

On March 1, 1950, Klaus Fuchs pleads guilty to violating the Official Secrets Act and is sentenced to 14 years in prison. His confession, though incomplete, solidifies the extent of his betrayal. The episode highlights the personal cost of Fuchs' actions, including the strained relationships with his friends and family, particularly his wife Ernest and friends Rudolph and Zhenya Peels, who feel deeply betrayed by his actions (29:54).

Aftermath and Impact on the Cold War

Fuchs' espionage is credited with accelerating the Soviet nuclear program, contributing significantly to the nuclear arms race that defined the Cold War era. Britain, delayed by Fuchs' betrayal, only achieved its own atomic capability by 1952. The episode concludes by emphasizing Fuchs' role in plunging the world into a prolonged period of nuclear tension and the enduring legacy of his actions on international relations.

Notable Quotes

• Prime Minister Clement Attlee (03:31): "Not only have we been leapfrogged by the USSR in atomic weaponry, but one of our own bloody scientists may have helped them do it?"

• Jim Skarden (15:00): "Klaus, if it wasn't you, then it's my job to try and clear your name. And if it was you, then we can easily clear up such a minor wartime act involving one of our wartime allies."

• Klaus Fuchs (29:54): "You're a spy? Not anymore."

• Ernest Skinner (February 1950): "You have damaged this country, your colleagues, and us, Klaus. How can we ever forgive you?"

Conclusion

Episode 4 of The Spy Who masterfully unravels the complex narrative of Klaus Fuchs, a scientist whose ideological convictions led him to betray his country and alter the course of history. Through detailed storytelling, the episode offers listeners an in-depth look at the intricate web of espionage, personal conflict, and geopolitical consequences that defined the early Cold War period. As the series progresses, it promises to further explore the motivations and psychological dimensions that drive brilliant minds toward such perilous paths.

Production Credits

This episode was written by Judy Cooper, researched by Louise Byrne, and produced by Vespucci in collaboration with Yellowant for Wondery. The team behind this compelling narrative includes managing producer Jay Priest, senior producers Natalia Rodriguez and Philippa Gearing, sound designer Iver Manley, supervising producer Rachel Byrne, and music supervisor Scott Velasquez for Friss on Sync. Executive producers include Johnny Galvin, Daniel Turkin, Tristan Donovan, Estelle Doyle, Chris Bourne, Morgan Jones, and Marshall Louis.

Note: This summary is based on the transcript provided and aims to capture the essence and key elements of the episode while omitting advertisements and non-content segments.