You mention that the Chinese military presently has few combat veterans. Decades ago, I read a piece in The New Yorker, not long after the Sino-Vietnamese border dustup. The author spoke to an unnamed Party official, asking, in effect, “So what was that all about?” The official shrugged and responded, “The PLA needed the practice. They’d forgotten how to fight.”
Thanks Jim for this piece. I too remember the scariness of Fail Safe (and Dr. Strangelove, and On The Beach). Reading your comments on China and the isolation of the military elite in China and the importance of face-to-face contact despite ideological differences, reminded me of my own experience in the 1970s in the USSR: the contrast between the ugliness of the Soviet Communist regime versus the beauty, kindness and soulful generosity of Russian individuals. Face-to-face contact with the adversary definitely helps reduce the tension and limit misunderstandings.
Excellent piece, Jim. I have never forgotten “Fail Safe” and experienced an eerie reminder late inthe afternoon of 9/11. Rounding a corner on a deserted block near W. 43rd St., usually almost as crowded as Times Square, I startled a huge flock of pigeons into flight. Those who watch the movie will know what I felt.
Thank you for a lucid and grounded opinion on this. We don’t know exactly how bad things got in January but having no confirmed Secretary of Defense meant that there wasn’t a normal chain of command in place.
You mention that the Chinese military presently has few combat veterans. Decades ago, I read a piece in The New Yorker, not long after the Sino-Vietnamese border dustup. The author spoke to an unnamed Party official, asking, in effect, “So what was that all about?” The official shrugged and responded, “The PLA needed the practice. They’d forgotten how to fight.”
Thanks Jim for this piece. I too remember the scariness of Fail Safe (and Dr. Strangelove, and On The Beach). Reading your comments on China and the isolation of the military elite in China and the importance of face-to-face contact despite ideological differences, reminded me of my own experience in the 1970s in the USSR: the contrast between the ugliness of the Soviet Communist regime versus the beauty, kindness and soulful generosity of Russian individuals. Face-to-face contact with the adversary definitely helps reduce the tension and limit misunderstandings.
Tom, thank you! (And did you see Fail-Safe back in the day, at the Fox? My subject-to-correction memory is that JAF + JMF wouldn't let us.)
If you have time, I'd love to read the excerpt about the Chinese/American military dinner--thanks!
Excellent piece, Jim. I have never forgotten “Fail Safe” and experienced an eerie reminder late inthe afternoon of 9/11. Rounding a corner on a deserted block near W. 43rd St., usually almost as crowded as Times Square, I startled a huge flock of pigeons into flight. Those who watch the movie will know what I felt.
"Encirclement" paranoia was a German theme leading up to WWI, at least per Barbara Tuchman's Guns of August.
Thank you for a lucid and grounded opinion on this. We don’t know exactly how bad things got in January but having no confirmed Secretary of Defense meant that there wasn’t a normal chain of command in place.