KCET Presents 'Eisenhower's Secret War'

BURBANK, CA--June 2, 2014--KCET, the nation's largest independent public

television station, has announced it will air EISENHOWER'S SECRET WAR, a

new documentary that examines Dwight D. Eisenhower's unwavering commitment --

both public and covert -- to peaceful co-existence with the Soviet Union in the

tumultuous and uneasy Cold War years.

Based on recent research by established scholars and writers, the two-part

documentary series provides a fresh understanding of Eisenhower's path to the

presidency from the time of the successful D-Day landings and, as president,

how his national security policies and tactics kept a divided world at peace

during the 1950s. Hosted by public television news commentator and author Evan

Thomas, EISENHOWER'S SECRET WAR features the accounts of more than 20

key witnesses -- American, British and Soviet -- to the major events of the era.

The first part chronicles Eisenhower's exploits in World War II, his decision

to enter presidential politics, and his fulfillment of an election promise to

seek a solution to ending the Korean War, after more than 33,000 military

deaths. It also follows the grassroots movement to draft Eisenhower as the

Republican candidate for president; Eisenhower's reluctant decision to leave

his powerful position at NATO; his fight for the Republican Party's nomination

against "neo-isolationist" Sen. Robert Taft, the leader of the GOP; his

campaign against Democrat Adlai Stevenson; and finally, his election as the

34th president.

Monday, June 16, 2014 at 9 p.m.: "Building Weapons, Talking Peace"

The second part recounts President Eisenhower's diplomatic confrontations

against the Soviet Union during the early Cold War years, crises prompted by

aggressive Kremlin-sponsored action around the world. It also documents his

attempts to keep the peace while establishing a clear superiority for the U.S.

in the nuclear arms "race." He used what scholars have called his "hidden hand"

tactics to keep that superiority under wraps despite intense criticism that the

U.S. was falling behind the USSR in military strength. Thanks to the use of the

U-2 spy plane, "Ike" knew the weaknesses of the Soviet Union, but he kept that

information secret as he pushed his policies of peaceful co-existence in a

divided world.

About KCET

On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital

role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central

California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well

as the finest public television programs from around the world. Throughout its

50-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and

regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and

documentary productions, its quality educational family and children's

programs, its outreach and community services and its website, kcet.org. KCET

is a donor-supported community institution. For additional information about

KCET productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community

events, please visit kcet.org. KCET is a service of KCETLink.