Cold War Liberation: The Soviet Union and the Collapse of the Portuguese Empire in Africa, 1961–1975

Cold War Liberation: The Soviet Union and the Collapse of the Portuguese Empire in Africa, 1961–1975 is a book by Natalia Telepneva. It was published by the University of North Carolina Press in 2022. The book explores the Soviet Union's involvement in African anti-colonial movements, specifically in Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau. Drawing upon newly available archival sources and interviews with key figures, Telepneva sheds light on the intricate relationships between African liberation leaders and Soviet bureaucrats, highlighting the agency of the former in enlisting Soviet support. Through a reinterpretation of historical events, the book contributes to discussions surrounding Cold War policy-making in the Global South, offering insights into the dynamics of superpower rivalry in sub-Saharan Africa during the mid-20th century.

Background
On 2 May 2023, The History and Public Policy Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars hosted a seminar dedicated to discussing the book. Telepneva as well as two panelist, Eric Arnesen and Christian Ostermann, discussed the book for about ninety minutes. Discussing her book during the panel, Telepneva said that "much of the book is devoted to explaining how these African revolutionaries navigated both local politics and internal rivalries" all while keeping and cultivating stronger ties with major international donors like the Soviet Union.

The book was published in January 2022 online with the support of the Andrew Mellon Foundation and in hardback by University of North Carolina Press in the 'New Histories of the Cold War" series in June 2022. It is available in open access.

The book launch took place on the 25 April 2022 in a conversation with Arne Westad and David Anderson.

Synopsis
The book examines Soviet engagement with African revolutionary movements within the context of the Global Cold War, highlighting the role of ideology and personal relationships in Soviet foreign policy. Telepneva draws from newly declassified Soviet archives and oral history to argue that ideological motivations, alongside pragmatic considerations, drove Soviet interactions in Portuguese Africa. The book explores the involvement of Soviet officials, emphasizing the significance of personal connections with African leaders in shaping policy decisions. The book also reconstructs the dynamics of Soviet involvement in the Angolan Civil War in 1974–75.

Critical reception
Dmitry Asinovskiy thought that Telepneva's narrative emphasized personal relationships and ideological affinities in shaping Soviet policies towards African revolutionaries, yet overlooked the bureaucratic processes within the Soviet system. Asinovskiy judged the book as "an essential contribution to the historiography of Soviet attempts to engage with the decolonising world."

Erin Kimball Damman explained how in her book, Telepneva demonstrated the cautious approach of the Soviet Union post-Carnation Revolution and sheds light on its cooperation with Cuba in arming the MPLA in Angola. Damman thought that despite a complex narrative involving multiple political actors, the book provides valuable insights into Cold War dynamics and Soviet strategies in Africa.

Alexander Hill praised the book for its significant contribution to studying the Soviet support for national liberation movements during the Cold War, particularly focusing on the collapse of the Portuguese Empire in Africa. Hill highlighted Telepneva's emphasis on "African agency" in interactions with the Soviet Union, showcasing the complexity of relationships beyond traditional diplomatic narratives.

Benedito Machava highlighted how the book reveals the pivotal role of African leaders in securing support for decolonization, emphasizing their agency in navigating global power dynamics. Machave thought that while the book is predominantly focused on male figures, it offers valuable insights into the complex diplomatic maneuvers that shaped the decolonization process in Lusophone Africa.

In his review, Maxim Matusevich paised the book's exploration of Soviet involvement in Africa during the Cold War. Matusevich highlighted Telepneva's emphasis on personal encounters and connections within the larger geopolitical context, shedding light on the complexities of Soviet foreign policy and the challenges of understanding African agency. The review underscored Telepneva's examination of the role of individuals, including the "Cominternians" and the "War Generation," in shaping Soviet-African relations.

Matt Mulhern highlighted the book's focus on the pivotal role of Soviet bureaucrats known as "mezhdunarodniki" in implementing Soviet policy towards Africa during the Cold War. Telepneva's extensive research sheds light on Soviet assistance to African liberation movements, particularly in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, and Mozambique, challenging previous narratives that downplayed Soviet involvement after Khrushchev's ouster. The review underscored Telepneva's meticulous examination of Soviet-African relations, emphasizing the overlooked agency of African leaders and the intricate dynamics of superpower competition in sub-Saharan Africa during this period.

H-Net roundtable reviews
Frank Gerits from the H-Net forums commissioned a roundtable discussion and review of the book. The published piece included an introduction by Lorenz Lüthi (from McGill University), five reviews (Elizabeth Banks, Alessandro Iandolo, Austin Jersild, Artemy M. Kalynovsky, and R. Joseph Parrott respectively), and a response to the reviewers by the author.

Lüthi thought the book is a "fast-paced and well-researched monograph". Banks highlighted the book's focus on the shift in Soviet priorities towards military and security support for national liberation movements in Lusophone Africa, challenging previous interpretations of Soviet foreign policy during the Cold War.

Iandolo praised Telepneva's expertise in presenting a thorough examination of Soviet actions in Africa, commending her extensive use of diverse source materials and her ability to construct compelling arguments supported by meticulous detail.

Jersild commended Telepneva's adeptness in weaving together disparate global threads of the Cold War era, showcasing how decolonization and ideological struggles intertwined across diverse regions. However, the reviewer noted a perceived gap in Telepneva's argument, questioning the alignment of mid-level officials' actions with socialist ideology and revolutionary fervor, suggesting a nuanced reassessment may be needed.

Kalinovsky lauded Telepneva's monograph for its comprehensive exploration of Soviet involvement in sub-Saharan Africa, and highlighted her detailed research that went back to the period up to Angola's independence and the collapse of the Portuguese empire.

Parrott noted that the book's focus on Soviet viewpoints may sometimes overshadow the portrayal of African actors and their perspectives.

Telepneva responded to the reviewers' feedback. She addressed criticisms regarding the attention given to African actors and emphasized limitations in source material but asserting the book's focus on African-Soviet relations. Telepneva also discussed Soviet perceptions of African clients, highlighting the complexities of ideology and agency. She agreed with suggestions for further exploration but defended her book's focus and its contribution to understanding ideology versus strategy in socialist foreign policy.