At the end of World War I, the vast but ailing Russian Empire collapsed.

What followed was regicide, civil war and famine.

But just a generation later, the world had changed.

Russia, now part of the Soviet Union, found itself uniquely positioned to thrust itself onto the global scene

as a major power in a way Russia had never done in the past.

In this episode, I speak with the Russian-born historian Sergei Rochenko, the Wilson E. Schmidt

distinguished professor at the Henry A. Kissinger Center

for Global Affairs. About his groundbreaking book, To Run the World, the Kremlin's Cold War

bid for global power. We discussed the motivations and aspirations of Stalin, Khrushchev and their successes, as we learn how the events

of the last century still cast a shadow today.

World War II was devastated for the Soviet Union.

While numbers cannot be confirmed, it's been suggested that as many as 25 million Soviet

citizens lost their lives as a result of the war.

And in cities such as Stalingrad, up to 90% of habitable buildings were destroyed.

On top of that, the destruction of factories, livestock and crops left the economy in ruins.

Sergey, what impact did the devastation and the overall effects of World War II have on Stalin

in terms of driving Soviet foreign policy in its immediate aftermath.

The effects were obviously dramatic. The destruction was huge. Every family was affected by this.

But the victory in the Second World War gave the Soviet government a sense legitimacy. Their system prevailed ultimately,

and the Soviet leaders felt that they could have a different kind of foreign policy,

perhaps a more assertive foreign policy and project Soviet power deep into the heart of Europe

in the run-up to the end of war, so beginning from 43,

...