Third World War - Inside the War Room

[Bring on the clowns]

On tonight on BBC2 at 9.00pm, presumably will be available on iPlayer, and a 'must see' for anyone interested in politics/world affairs etc. imho. One of those fascinating but sobering programmes that make on feel more concerned for the possible near future than in the post USSR collapse relief period.

It was a very well made and well considered dramatised documentary using politicians, ex ambassadors and generals about the likely response to a Ukraine-like insurrection in the Baltic. Brilliant stuff, though I'm not sure I'm glad I watched it!

[Bring on the clowns]

I saw that one too and liked it very much - much more play-like, and very well scripted with some brilliant acting by the slimy character who role-played the PM (and some not so from the over-earnest naysayer, but still...).

If this is anything close to how it would be done in reality (and given the description of the process and those involved possibly quite close) it is 'interesting' how recommendations to govt. on such a serious issue could be made by such a small number of people, where the decision on what course of action to recommend could e down to to the smallest difference in votes.

[Bring on the clowns]

Imagine what would happen with Corbyn in office!

[Bring on the clowns]

Repeated on BBC tonight for anyone who missed it and is interested. It was a gripping watch, imo.

[Bring on the clowns]

Halb said:

valiant said:

Quite sobering how quick it ended up flinging nukes at each other.

Excellent viewing though.

Indeed.
Made me think that possibly some were given 'briefs' to be belligerent/aggressive/knobs. A bit of dick polishing going on.

I doubt that. I imagine there were some basic parameters for how the debate/filming would be handled but that each would express the views they already hold and would be likely to do worth the incoming intelligence, and that they elected people knowing they would have a fairly balanced range of opinions yet requiring those with pre-existing insight.

[Bring on the clowns]

Pistom said:

I felt that the whole program moved too quickly from 2 sides face slapping to the verge of MAD. OK that happened in the Cuban missile crisis but even with the tensions and paranoia of the time, common sense prevailed.

But only just. There are 1st hand reports and comments from high level officials and senior military men including those ensconced in the White House who genuinely wondered whether they would see the next morning, without was, on the day push was coming to shove.

[Bring on the clowns]

Trouble with all that is, now they've got Putin. He'll share a moral compass with Uncle Joe and Paul Pot to help navigate their way around Hades. With luck they might bump into Teflon Tony from time to time.