Why the Soviet Union Collapsed: How a Superpower Unraveled from Within

For decades, the Soviet Union stood as one of the most powerful states in the world—a nuclear superpower with vast territory, a massive military, and global influence. Yet in 1991, it disappeared without invasion or decisive military defeat.

This episode explores the deeper forces behind the collapse of the Soviet Union, including economic stagnation, political rigidity, military pressure, nationalism, the war in Afghanistan, Gorbachev’s reforms, Chernobyl, and the failed coup of 1991. It is the story of how a seemingly permanent superpower slowly lost the trust, unity, and legitimacy needed to survive.