Able Archer and the NATO War Scare

Abstract

Able Archer 83 was one in a series of NATO exercises designed to test processes, troop movements, secondary missions and tactical nuclear strike against chosen Soviet Bloc targets. The Soviets grew fearful that it was cover for an actual assault. The situation was precarious, perilously close to what generations of analysts considered the most likely cause of a hot war: miscalculation. Fortunately British intelligence had recruited a Soviet intelligence officer, Oleg Gordievsky, who could provide crucial insights, allowing for leaders to offer reassurances and tode-escalate. Documents: Indicators to recognize adversarial preparations for a surprise nuclear missile attack; Implications of Recent Soviet Military-Political Activities.