HEADLINE: Nikita Khrushchev's Miscalculation and the Specter of Berlin GUEST NAME: Professor Serhii Plokhy BOOK TITLE: Nuclear Folly TOPIC: Accidental War Warning SUMMARY: Nikita Khrushchev, a shrewd

HEADLINE: Nikita Khrushchev's Miscalculation and the Specter of Berlin GUEST NAME: Professor Serhii PlokhyBOOK TITLE: Nuclear Folly TOPIC: Accidental War Warning SUMMARY: Nikita Khrushchev, a shrewd politician who succeeded Joseph Stalin, was widely misunderstood as a clown. Khrushchev expected to manipulate the young Jack Kennedy, having once offered campaign assistance. Khrushchev was surprised when Kennedy refused to compromise over the missile deployment. Both leaders were constantly concerned about Berlin; Khrushchev used the threat of escalation there to manipulate Kennedy. 1920 HAVANA