Part 7/9:
With Stalin’s death in March of 1953, Beria's fortunes began to change. Initially, he feigned loyalty, attempting to distance himself from the oppressive regime he had helped propel. Seeking to reform the Soviet system, he proposed several measures aimed at reducing the influence of the NKVD and releasing political prisoners. However, his reforms, somewhat destabilizing for the regime, attracted suspicion from figures like Nikita Khrushchev and other members of the Politburo.