"The Fog of War": Uncertainty in the Midst

Today, I will talk about the "Fog of War" directed by Errol Morris, because it hit me really hard and close to home. The movie is a retrospective view into the life of Robert McNamara, as he sought it. The title explains the cloud of uncertainty that rests on government heads and policy providers when in the midst of a crisis. We have up close shots of a one-on- one interview with the man when he reaches his 85 years of age. What’s interesting is that he doesn’t really regret that much of what he has done, and of his straight-edge, black heart policies that went down from time he was Secretary of Defense from 1961 to 1968 during the Vietnam War period. As well as being somewhat of an apologetic plea, it also highlights some of the most important events of the 20th century, including the outcomes of the Cold War. His policies were propelled by an “Active role” management philosophy.

He points out some major mistakes of foreign affair policy in the movie. For example, he regrets recommending to Kennedy to go ahead with the Bay of Pigs invasion. In retrospect, had it succeeded, it would have been disastrous for both sides of this war- no longer cold but turned horribly costly.

He was also very involved in what happened during the war in Vietnam and how that played out. What he mentions in the movie is that the American government had failed to understand what was going on in that region before they went in. More than just another proxy war, this one was being fought by the Vietnamese themselves, and the American soldiers were not ready for what was about to happen there. Also, it is important to stress what McNamara did, himself stating that his strategy for winning the war there had failed. It is also fascinating to note that he then became the President of the World Bank (1968-1981). He probably learnt a lot during that time as well.What is so impressive about this documentary is how humble McNamara is in his old age, but how energized and bright his comments are.

What is interesting here, is that since the American government was so determined in countering communism, the failure to win this war had massive consequences for development in Vietnam when Saigon fell to the North. For a long time Vietnam was in isolation to international integration in the market economy. Also, the US was in denial that they had lost the war there for a long time after they knew that their efforts were in vain. Post war, anti-communist propaganda, and a memory of failure within the country itself, lead the American government, as well as the international community to kind of leave Vietnam to its own doings. However, in November, Vietnam will access to the WTO as its 150th member, no small feat. It has also been nominated to join the UN Security Council in 2008. These two events show that Vietnam is now ready to re-emerge on the international arena. “It is the first time that the UN is presenting a harmonized vision of the UN’s support to Vietnam, which is translated in synergistic and efficient country plans for the next five years”(source: http://www.un.org.vn/mr/2005/engl/050307e.htm) Economic successes in Vietnam have been increasing rates of economic growth, and can thus soon join the other Asian Tigers.