by Christos Zabounis
If there is one film that would be useful in understanding the Escalation Trap, it is none other than “The Path to War”, which was released in Greece on DVD. I first saw it on HBO during one of my trips to the United States. I was reminded of it recently while following developments on the Iranian front. The film focuses on the way President Lyndon Johnson handled the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968. Although one might assume that, given its realism, it was an adaptation of a book, the film was, in fact, conceived by screenwriter Daniel Giat. He was, of course, aided by transcripts from the White House, containing the actual conversations between Johnson and his advisers. The film is currently available on the Greek version of HBO Max, and anyone who watches it will be struck by its parallels with current events, particularly the way the same superpower has become trapped in a regional conflict. The fear of disengaging from the impasse – for that is precisely what it is – goes hand in hand with the acceptance of defeat. The pressure of the domestic agenda accumulates, as the country and its voters become increasingly divided over the purpose and necessity of the war. Protesters may no longer take to the streets carrying signs reading “No to War,” as they did in the 1960s, but today their protest takes place through social media. Finally, the leader’s ego, together with an unwillingness to acknowledge mistakes and a belief in military superiority, leads to growing distrust among public opinion – a factor of great importance in the Western world. Another directorial achievement by John Frankenheimer, featuring the commendable Sir Michael Gambon in the role of the ill-fated president.
