👂 Even if the Angolan Civil War isn’t at the forefront of global political memory today, Blowback brings it to life in its sixth season, presenting it as one of the Cold War’s most complex and influential chapters. The podcast re-examines the history of US foreign policy through a critical, investigative lens, adopting an analytical approach that seeks to deconstruct the behind-the-scenes international conflicts involving DC, and identify who paid the true price for these interventions.

Hosts Brendan James and Noah Kulwin blend the precision of academic research and political analysis with immersive sound design that moves past traditional narration. The podcast draws upon a comprehensive archive to unpack the war, which erupted in the 1970s, and how it transformed into a proxy battlefield during the Cold War. US and Soviet ambitions clashed there, alongside direct military interventions from other powers including Cuba and South Africa.

The season’s 10th and final episode sheds light on the radical shift in the conflict’s nature following the 1988 New York Accords and the collapse of the Soviet Union. The episode focuses on the major turning point in 1993, when the Clinton administration withdrew its support for Jonas Savimbi, founder of the UNITA movement, and officially recognized the Luanda government. The war did not end with the loss of international backing — rather, it evolved into a self-funding war economy that left behind a humanitarian catastrophe of famine and a landmine crisis. This made Angola one of the countries with the highest number of amputees until the war officially ended in 2002 with the death of Savimbi.

The episode's strength lies in its dramatic construction, with the hosts going beyond narration. Listeners are transported to the heart of the action through rare recordings of leaders' speeches, field audio, and clips from old diplomatic meetings. Even the silences are masterfully employed, giving the listener a moment to absorb the scale of the tragedy.

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can tune in on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart | YouTube.

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