There must be very few of us, and maybe I’m alone. I’m referring to fans of Neville, Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister who in 1938 gave up a goodly chunk of Czechoslovakia to Nazi Germany rather than risk war. It was the apex of Britain’s policy of appeasement. Today there are few, if any, worse things you can call someone in the foreign policy game than an “appeaser” or a “Chamberlain.” Few if any diplomatic “disasters” so ridiculed and mocked than Chamberlain’s 1938 decision at Munich. The decision at Munich for appeasement, now eighty-four years old, still haunts every Western foreign policy decision, like a malevolent spirit summoned forth from hell to argue for war.
How very timely, David, as we find ourselves on the edge of a possible war over Taiwan and with nuclear catastrophe a very real likelihood in Ukraine. As we wait to see which prognosticators are right, you reminded me of a recent and very good movie about Chamberlain called Munich-The Edge of War. Jeremy Irons plays Chamberlain as a nuanced and caring man who has indeed measured the odds and decides to give peace a chance, even knowing he could be wrong.
These are fantastic points, the kind of thing once you read it seems obvious, but didn’t just a few minutes ago. Thus illustrating your point 😂
Thanks Erin!
Agree or disagree, a very good challenge!
How very timely, David, as we find ourselves on the edge of a possible war over Taiwan and with nuclear catastrophe a very real likelihood in Ukraine. As we wait to see which prognosticators are right, you reminded me of a recent and very good movie about Chamberlain called Munich-The Edge of War. Jeremy Irons plays Chamberlain as a nuanced and caring man who has indeed measured the odds and decides to give peace a chance, even knowing he could be wrong.
The “original sin” of human beings is that we are required to make decisions for which we cannot know the consequences.
I saw that movie and liked it.