Poor old Gary Powers
I defer to Pulitzer Prize-winning David "Dead Hand" Hoffman, the King of the Cold War Archives, but I was surprised to read in this account of Gary Powers’ downing that the U.S. government concluded that he had actually descended in his U-2 and defected. The government analysts were mistaken because they were confused by another ...
I defer to Pulitzer Prize-winning David "Dead Hand" Hoffman, the King of the Cold War Archives, but I was surprised to read in this account of Gary Powers' downing that the U.S. government concluded that he had actually descended in his U-2 and defected. The government analysts were mistaken because they were confused by another aircraft that the eager-beaver Reds mistakenly whacked at the same time.
I defer to Pulitzer Prize-winning David "Dead Hand" Hoffman, the King of the Cold War Archives, but I was surprised to read in this account of Gary Powers’ downing that the U.S. government concluded that he had actually descended in his U-2 and defected. The government analysts were mistaken because they were confused by another aircraft that the eager-beaver Reds mistakenly whacked at the same time.
More from Foreign Policy

Lessons for the Next War
Twelve experts weigh in on how to prevent, deter, and—if necessary—fight the next conflict.

It’s High Time to Prepare for Russia’s Collapse
Not planning for the possibility of disintegration betrays a dangerous lack of imagination.

Turkey Is Sending Cold War-Era Cluster Bombs to Ukraine
The artillery-fired cluster munitions could be lethal to Russian troops—and Ukrainian civilians.

Congrats, You’re a Member of Congress. Now Listen Up.
Some brief foreign-policy advice for the newest members of the U.S. legislature.