During the last few years, our knowledge of the history of the Soviet atomic project has increased dramatically. The release of many documents from the Presidential and other archives has made possib le a reassessment of the contribution of I.V.Kurchatov to the building of the Soviet atomic industry. Kurchatov’s enormous effort helped win a scientific battle crucial for our country’s survival. This heroic deed critically depended upon Kurchatov’s close interaction with the state apparatus and political power. Kurchatov worked under close control and monitoring from the state security police and its chief, L.P.Beria. Stalin was deeply interested in the results of this work. The atomic project thus entailed enormous risks for Kurchatov, demanded his utmost at tention, and required special personal talents from him. On the basis of the newly re leased documents, the article analyzes Kurchatov’s dealings with the country’s politi cal leaders: how he struggled initially to bring the needs of the atomic project to their attention, how the politicians assisted and supervised him, and how, in turn, Kurcha- tov was able to influence their opinions and decisions. Amidst the nuclear race betwe en the USSR and the USA, Kurchatov helped the Soviet leadership realize the mutu ally suicidal consequences of the atomic showdown and argued in favor of banning nuclear tests.