The Explorers' Club, № CMXCI

Operation AXIOM: The Cold War—The 40th Anniversary of Able Archer 83
7-11 November 1983: N.A.T.O. forces conducted an annual military training exercise, simulating a conflict escalation to DEFCON 1 (nuclear war); the Kremlin feared Able Archer was a ruse of war, to disguise a first strike, despite K.G.B. field reports to the contrary; Soviet nuclear forces were put on elevated alert status, but N.A.T.O. defused the crisis by refusing to raise its alert status in response.

Commentary: The Soviet overreaction to Able Archer 83 was dangerous, but we urge you, dear explorers, not to heed the doomsayers who contend the world was on the very brink of nuclear annihilation. Just say "No" to sensationalism!

Lest we forget.