and, you know, there was even a talk that the gulags are going to be reinstated. he is going to push forward certain policies, including international policies. [narrator] as leader of the soviet union, andropov takes his operation ryan charts from the kgb back rooms to the heart of soviet policy. [tim] yuri andropov is a very conspiratorial figure. he is convinced that the united states is seeking domination over the soviets, and ultimately a nuclear victory. [nina] and so the soviet union has to be completely and utterly prepared to push that button. [narrator] all eyes are now on reagan in this uncharted new landscape. [nina] reagan was adamant that he's not going to deal with those red bastards. [dramatic music playing]