Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight
I also like the causal relationship implied between JFK's meeting Khruschev and the building of the Berlin Wall.
|
Are you saying you don't believe there was a correlation?
I've always believed there was. The Russians had lost 20 million soldiers in WWII and were in no way ready to fight another war in Europe. Khruschev was indeed feeling out Kennedy and sensed weakness and a lack of resolve. That also led directly to the Cuban Missile crisis, but thankfully JFK showed cajones there.
This is where face to face talks, when one is not prepared to stand up and is willing to make concessions easily, can lead to very negative consequences. Reagan was good at it and walked out on Gorbachev in Iceland. I don't see Obama doing that with Ahmadinejad. Of course, I see McCain beating Ahmadinejad to death with a blunt instrument, which wouldn't be a good thing either (well, maybe it would).