Tag Archives: Nikita Khrushchev

David and Goliath

Posted on June 2, 2025 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, June 2, 2025 There is little in the Old Testament that can be taken to be literally true, but its books and stories do a good job describing human nature and shaping our values. Perhaps one of its … Continue reading →

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Competent Crisis Management

Posted on April 13, 2025 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, April 13, 2025 In 1962, as a college junior, I needed an elective to fill out my program. Given the state of the world and the Cold War, I thought Americans ought to be learning Russian, so I … Continue reading →

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Near Misses

Posted on November 17, 2022 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, November 17, 2022 We’ve all experienced situations that might have resulted in tragedy or disaster but didn’t. Whether we reacted by thanking God or just feeling lucky, we came away shaken, reminded how fragile life and everything we … Continue reading →

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The Reality of a Nuclear World Order

Posted on October 10, 2022 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, October 10, 2022 The week after next is Cuban Missile Crisis Week. It will mark sixty years during which the world managed to avoid self-destruction with nuclear weapons. I have vivid memories of the final day of the … Continue reading →

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Ukrainian Brinksmanship

Posted on June 5, 2022 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, June 5, 2022 If history has taught us anything, it is that civilizations rise and fall. The ancient Mesopotanians, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Incas, Aztecs, were all-powerful in their day. In the post-Christ era, the united Caliphate, the … Continue reading →

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The Nuclear Madman Scenario

Posted on March 1, 2022 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, March 1, 2022 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was always going to be a risky proposition with the borders between Ukraine and four NATO countries within shelling and rocket range of the fighting. The risk seems greater now that … Continue reading →

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Biden vs Putin

Posted on February 22, 2022 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, February 22, 2022 Remember the testimony during the Senate trial of Trump’s first impeachment? If you watched much of it, you were impressed with Fiona Hill, who served as Trump’s chief Russia expert, which is not to say … Continue reading →

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A Deadly Game of Brinksmanship

Posted on June 4, 2021 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, June 4, 2021 Brinksmanship is like poker. You may be holding a winning hand. You may be bluffing. More than one player may believe he has a winning hand, and some players may behave irrationally. If that happens … Continue reading →

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The High Stakes Gambler at the Helm

Posted on January 8, 2020 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, January 8, 2020 Donald Trump has described his negotiating style as gathering all the players in a room, tossing in a hand grenade, and then swooping in to close a deal before they know what hit them. That … Continue reading →

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Happy Days are (Almost) Here Again

Posted on November 6, 2019 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, November 6, 2019 Embedded deeply in my philosophy is the belief that baseball is an excellent metaphor for life. When the Washington Nationals completed their unlikely fight to win the World Series two weeks ago, their radio voice, … Continue reading →

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