The Fog Of War And Rwanda: Critical Questions On War And Pea

The Fog of War and Rwanda: Critical Questions on War and Peace

These questions derive from two films, "The Fog of War" and "Shake Hands with the Devil", which explore the themes of military decision-making, the human cost of war, and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals in positions of authority. The first set focuses on Robert McNamara's insights into warfare, nuclear strategy, and the lessons learned from conflicts like Vietnam, while the second set examines the Rwandan genocide through Roméo Dallaire’s perspective, highlighting the failure of international intervention and the horrors of ethnic violence.

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The exploration of war through "The Fog of War" and "Shake Hands with the Devil" provides profound insights into the complexities of military and political decision-making, the consequences of human error, and the devastating effects of ethnic violence. Both films depict different facets of conflict, from nuclear strategy to genocide, emphasizing moral lessons and the importance of ethical responsibility.

Discussion on "The Fog of War"

Robert McNamara, the U.S. Secretary of Defense during the Cold War era, reflects candidly on the nature of warfare, especially nuclear conflicts. An honest military commander, according to McNamara, would admit the unpredictability and moral ambiguities inherent in war, acknowledging the possibility of catastrophic mistakes. McNamara emphasizes that making even a single error with nuclear weapons could lead to global annihilation, underscoring the importance of restraint and strategic prudence.

His personal rule was to never go into a conflict without thoroughly understanding its consequences. Lesson #1 that McNamara points out is that escalation can quickly spiral out of control, and the first step in avoiding disaster is understanding the limits of military power. He also notes that the emotion Thompson exhibited towards Khrushchev was fear or intimidation, reflecting the tense atmosphere of the Cold War. The second lesson highlights that rational decision-making can be clouded by emotional reactions, which can lead to dangerous escalation.

McNamara believed that what ultimately prevented nuclear war was the realization of mutual assured destruction—knowing that an attack by one side would result in total retaliation. Today, this mutual deterrence still exists, but the danger lies in technological or human failures that could lead to unintended conflict. McNamara warned that nations could be destroyed not just physically but culturally and morally, emphasizing that war's destructive nature is total and irreversible.

During the Cold War, Kennedy’s advisors believed the USSR would test nuclear weapons behind the moon to maintain secrecy, reflecting fears of technological surveillance. Lesson #3 emphasizes the importance of deception and strategic ambiguity in warfare, and Lesson #4 underscores the importance of understanding the political and human costs of conflict, beyond just military considerations.

The film also recounts the horrors of World War II, such as the firebombing of Japanese cities, where thousands of civilians were burned alive in one night—an atrocity that underscores the devastating human toll of war. McNamara’s lessons from history stress that war is not merely a military issue but involves moral, political, and human considerations. The pullout from Vietnam was halted by political pressures and military commitments, leading to Lessons #5 through #10, which highlight the complexities of fighting insurgencies and the importance of winning "hearts and minds."

President Johnson believed that the U.S. was fighting a war to contain communism and that the North Vietnamese were aggressive and untrustworthy. The operation that dropped vastly more bombs than all of WWII demonstrated the extensive and destructive nature of U.S. military intervention. McNamara pointed out that the core problem was not military but political, involving misunderstandings and misjudgments about Vietnamese resolve and loyalty.

Winning the hearts and minds of the South Vietnamese was deemed essential; thus, the prerequisites for victory were moral and psychological as well as military. Johnson stated that America declared war on the spread of communism, emphasizing ideological motives. The U.S. government failed to engage in open communication, unlike during the Cuban Missile Crisis, which led to misunderstandings. Vietnam was like a civil war perceived as part of a broader Cold War struggle, but locally, it was a fight for survival and identity—less a mere ideological battleground and more a cultural conflict.

Lesson #8 through Lesson #11 encapsulate the larger moral and strategic lessons McNamara derived from these conflicts, including responsibility for war, the importance of humility, and the unpredictable nature of warfare. McNamara pointed to political leaders and military decision-makers as responsible for wars, emphasizing that war's true responsibility lies beyond battlefield tactics. His ultimate lesson is that the "fog of war"—the confusion, miscommunication, and ethical dilemmas—obscures the path to clear decision-making, often leading to catastrophic consequences.

Analysis of "Shake Hands with the Devil"

Roméo Dallaire describes his return to Rwanda as traumatic, filled with memories of horror and helplessness. He was abandoned by the international community, including the United Nations, which failed to act decisively during the genocide. Within 100 days, approximately 800,000 Rwandans were slaughtered, a staggering proof of the international failure to prevent or stop the violence. Dallaire found it difficult to sleep, overwhelmed by the scale of violence and regret for the powerless situation he faced.

Initially, Dallaire felt a mixture of hope and apprehension about going into Rwanda. The country had been at war for years, divided primarily between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups. The Hutus had been conditioned by colonial propaganda and local traditions to despise the Tutsis, whom they grew to view as enemies. The UN response was weak; when Dallaire responded intelligently to warnings and requests, the organization often failed to provide adequate support or authorization for decisive action.

The raising of the UN flag was meant to symbolize international peacekeeping, but it proved insufficient amid the escalating violence. Propaganda spread by Hutu extremists on radio incited hatred and violence, encouraging listeners to commit genocidal acts. The Hutu learned from colonial powers that ethnic division was a way to control the population. A significant number of Rwandan soldiers and civilians were extremely young, some mere teenagers, illustrating the impact of war on the youth.

The rebel general, Colonel Théoneste Bayosora, commanded forces responsible for much of the violence. The Rwandan government sought legitimacy and international recognition, but their actions were rooted in ethnic hatred legitimized by colonial and political leaders. The UN's refusal to authorize force stemmed from fears of escalation and political hesitation, which left Dallaire constrained in his capacity to intervene. On April 6, 1994, the assassination of President Habyarimana triggered the genocide, meticulously planned and executed to eliminate Tutsi opposition.

The attack targeted Tutsi civilians and moderate Hutus, with the aim of eradicating the Tutsi minority. Colonel Bayosora wielded immense power and could have stopped the slaughter had he chosen to do so, but instead, he perpetuated the violence. The church could have intervened earlier to prevent the genocide, as many clergy knew about the extremist plans but failed to act decisively.

Dallaire’s mission was to prevent genocide, but the failure of international actors and the UN's lack of intervention capacity left millions vulnerable. Thousands of refugees gathered in the Amahoro Stadium, where they suffered from starvation, disease, and violence, highlighting the devastating human toll. Dallaire contemplated resignation but chose to continue his efforts, obeying orders despite moral outrage. His ultimate failure was the inability to prevent the genocide in time, a traumatic reminder of the limitations of peacekeeping efforts without political will and swift military action.

References

• Humphrey, M. (2004). Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Roméo Dallaire. Alfred A. Knopf.
• McNamara, R. (1995). In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam. Vintage Books.
• Higgins, A. (2014). "The Fog of War: Lessons of War." Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 22(4), 255-259.
• Prunier, G. (1995). The Rwanda Crisis: History of a Genocide. Columbia University Press.
• Bellamy, A. J. (2010). The Responsibility to Protect: A New Paradigm of Global Governance. Polity Press.
• Power, S. (2002).A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide. Basic Books.
• Garrison, J. (2010). "The Political and Moral Dimensions of the Rwanda Genocide." Journal of Genocide Research, 12(1), 45-65.
• Chalk, F. (1998). Rwanda: The Preventable Genocide. Routledge.
• Smith, D. (2003). "The International Response to Genocide." Journal of Peace Research, 40(7), 767-781.
• United Nations. (1994). Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda.