Episode Details

Gaius and Germanicus: Gaius invokes the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, highlighting how the Kennedy brothers used caution and trusted advisors to avoid nuclear war. He asks how a modern crisis can be resolved when the "emperor's" word is no longer trusted. Germanicus responds that while the 1960s were characterized by caution, the post-Cold WarU.S. became "vain glorious," viewing itself as "gods of war." He paradoxically argues that Trump's "magnificent immobility" and incompetence may be the only thing preventing a catastrophic military overreaction in the Middle East. By doing nothing, Germanicus suggests the U.S. avoids committing "war crimes" against Iran, even if it means accepting a "massive defeat" as Russia and Iran win on their own terms. (2)
JUNE 1961