A US Diplomat's Son in Cold War Soviet Union, Nicaragua and Cuba (347)

Cold War Conversations

In this fascinating interview, Patrick D. Joyce recounts his unique experience growing up as the son of a U.S. diplomat during the Cold War.

Living in the diplomatic community of the Soviet Union, Nicaragua, and Cuba, Patrick shares vivid memories of his father's career as a Soviet and linguistic expert, who rose to become Deputy Ambassador at both the Moscow and Havana US embassies.

The discussion touches on the juxtaposition of ordinary family life in various U.S. embassies around the world alongside the extraordinary circumstances of espionage and international relations, highlighting the complexities and contradictions of living in hostile countries during tense political times.

The narrative weaves through personal anecdotes, school experiences, interactions with local populations, and the evolving geopolitical landscape, providing a deeply personal lens on historical events.

Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode347/

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Patrick D. Joyce is the author of two Cold War thrillers for young adults: Back in the USSR and Strawberry Fields. Learn more about Patrick and his books at https://patrickdjoyce.com.

Obituary in The Foreign Service Journal for Patrick’s father, John M. “Mike” Joyce:

https://afsa.org/sites/default/files/flipping_book/070823/90/

“The Old Russian Legacy,” by John M. Joyce, in Foreign Policy (1984):

https://www.jstor.org/stable/1148385

“La guerra de la CIA contra Cuba,” the 1987 Cuban TV exposé that aired the night before Patrick’s family departed Havana:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqdlRcs06-Y

The Washington Post on the Cuban TV exposé:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/07/25/spy-charges-strain-us-cuban-ties/d1a4ecc6-a7f6-4765-9a74-16a2d925b2eb/

James Olson on Foreign Policy’s I Spy podcast, with a recently revealed backstory to the Cuban TV exposé:

https://foreignpolicy.com/podcasts/ispy/?episode=the-counterspy

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0:00 Introduction to Cold War Conversations

00:27 Meet Patrick D Joyce: A Diplomat's Son

01:37 Early Life and Family Background

04:44 Life in the Diplomatic Community

09:06 Experiences in the Soviet Union

19:00 Return to Moscow in the 80s

23:58 Navigating Diplomatic Life

29:06 Reflections and Writing Novels

30:13 Arrival in Managua: A Soviet Satellite

30:52 Life Amidst Conflict: The Contra War

32:41 Navigating Diplomatic Challenges

35:03 Teenage Adventures in a War-Torn City

38:04 Spies Among Us: Embassy Life Revealed

40:46 Transition to Havana: A Diplomatic Shift

42:54 Living in Havana: Between Luxury and Hostility

46:44 A Summer Job in Havana

48:04 Suspicions and Scandals: The Spy Question

54:31 Return to Moscow: A New Era

58:56 Life in Moscow: Socializing and Escaping

01:00:18 Final Departure: A Road Trip to Freedom

01:01:08 Episode Extras and Acknowledgements

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