The Cold War's Friendliest Quarrel

On September 15, Nicholas Thompson discussed his new book The Hawk and the Dove: Paul Nitze, George Kennan, and the History of the Cold War. Covering the remarkable rivalry and friendship bonding two of the nation's foremost foreign policy thinkers, Paul Nitze and George Kennan, the event was moderated by Andrés Martinez, Director of Bernard L. Schwartz Fellows Program.

Mr. Thompson, editor at Wired magazine and Paul Nitze's grandson, described the challenge of writing the book from a historical perspective while acknowledging his personal connection to the project-a connection that allowed him unique access to interviews and new documents like Kennan's personal diary. Mr. Thompson discussed the characters and careers of Nitze and Kennan, both of whom came to power during World War II, reached their professional peaks during the Cold War's most frightening moments, and fought epic political battles that spanned decades. Nitze--the hawk--was a consummate insider who believed that the best way to avoid a nuclear clash was to prepare to win one. More than any other American, he was responsible for the arms race. Kennan--the dove--was a diplomat turned academic who authored what was arguably history's most influential telegram purposing the strategy of containment.

Mr. Thompson also touched on several points of special interest, including Kennan's talent as a writer and his correspondence with Stalin's daughter, Kennan's fiercely conservative views on some social issues, and Nitze's talent as a bureaucratic infighter. Kennan's tragic flaw, Mr. Thompson said, was his incapacity to accept an ethnically diverse vision of America; Nitze's great blunder was his failure to grasp the implications of a nuclear arms race. While writing the interknit biographies of both men, however, Mr. Thompson said, it was impossible not to marvel at their incredible minds.

 

See map: Google Maps

Participants

Featured Speaker
Nicholas Thompson
Author, The Hawk and the Dove: Paul Nitze, George Kennan, and the History of the Cold War
Senior Editor, Wired Magazine
Fellow, New America Foundation

Moderator
Andrés Martinez
Director, Bernard L. Schwartz Fellows Program
New America Foundation