Beware gifts from Soviet spies

Beware gifts from Soviet spies

From No One Saw It Coming by ABC Australia

May 10, 2026

About this episode

The episode discusses a Soviet gift to the Americans that served as a listening device during the Cold War.

After the Second World War, relations between America, Britain and the Soviets were frosty and as the Cold War rivalry intensified, they were watching each other with intense side-eye. And it turns out, listening as well. Matt Bevan (If You’re Listening) tells Marc Fennell (Stuff The British Stole) the story of how a gift from the Soviets to the Americans was used as a trojan horse to listen in on conversations, and it was made by a man whose name is now famous but for a very different reason. Binge all the episodes of No One Saw It Coming now on ABC listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch: Got a story for us? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at noonesawitcoming@abc.net.au

People in this episode

Host: Marc Fennell

Guest: Matt Bevan

Topics covered

  • Cold War
  • Soviet espionage
  • American history
  • listening devices
  • post-war relations

Keywords

  • Soviet spies
  • Cold War
  • listening device
  • trojan horse
  • post-war relations

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ABC Australia, If You’re Listening, Stuff The British Stole

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