Empire Podcast Summary: "Murder in the Congo, The Cuban Missile Crisis, & India in the UN"

Release Date: June 15, 2025
Hosts: William Dalrymple and Anita Anand
Podcast Series: Empire
Podcast Description:
"Empire" delves into the intricate narratives of revolutions, imperial wars, and the pivotal figures who built and dismantled empires. In this episode, William Dalrymple and Anita Anand explore pivotal moments in United Nations history, focusing on the mysterious death of Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold, the rise of U Thant, and the UN's crucial role during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

1. The Early Leadership of the United Nations

The episode opens by setting the stage with the initial challenges faced by the United Nations through its first two Secretaries-General. Thant Mint U, a close associate and family member of U Thant, provides an in-depth look into the tenures of Trygve Lie and Dag Hammarskjold.

• Trygve Lie's Tenure ([01:52]):
  "He had tried to kind of find this middle way... his biggest achievement perhaps was in getting that building, that site in New York and having built this... masterpiece on the East River."

  Trygve Lie, the inaugural Secretary-General, struggled to balance the competing interests of superpowers, ultimately resigning after five tumultuous years due to mounting pressures and geopolitical tensions.

• Dag Hammarskjold's Ascendancy ([03:13]):
  "He became this amazing sort of figure on the world stage... the one who presided over the invention of peacekeeping after the Suez Crisis in 1956."

  Dag Hammarskjold emerged as a formidable and respected leader, pioneering UN peacekeeping missions and acting as a mediator in global conflicts. His untimely and mysterious death in 1961 during a mission in the Congo remains one of the most enigmatic events in UN history.

2. The Mysterious Death of Dag Hammarskjold

The narrative delves into the circumstances surrounding Hammarskjold's death during his mission to the Congo, a newly independent nation grappling with internal strife and Cold War tensions.

• Circumstances of the Crash ([03:21] - [05:18]):
  "Hammerskold flies into the Congo in late 1961 and his plane disappears... we now can say pretty confidently that he was killed in some way."

  Hammarskjold was en route to mediate in the Congo when his plane vanished. Decades of investigations, including seminal work by historian Susan Williams, suggest foul play, possibly involving Belgian mercenaries or other vested parties opposed to his peacekeeping efforts.

• Investigation Challenges ([05:01] - [05:44]):
  "The Belgians are probably everyone's number one guess in terms of who was involved."

  Despite numerous theories, definitive evidence remains elusive as major powers like the US and UK continue to withhold critical files, leaving the true circumstances of his death unresolved.

3. The Rise of U Thant: From Schoolteacher to UN Secretary-General

Following Hammarskjold's death, the UN faced a leadership vacuum amidst the escalating Cold War. The Afro-Asian nations, empowered by movements like Bandung and the Non-Aligned Movement, sought a successor who could steer the UN towards greater neutrality and effectiveness.

• U Thant’s Background ([06:25] - [07:57]):
  "He was born and spent almost his entire life until he was almost 40 living in this remote Burmese backwater town... and within 10 years, he had kind of risen up through the ranks."

  U Thant, originally a schoolteacher from a modest background in Burma, rapidly ascended the diplomatic ranks to become Burma's ambassador to the UN. His reputation as a conciliatory and effective diplomat made him an ideal candidate for Secretary-General.

• Selection Process ([08:05] - [10:36]):
  "Nehru, Nkrumah to a lesser extent, Nasser to a lesser extent, Sukarno were all leading this effort... they had to act."

  Influential leaders from India, Ghana, Egypt, and Indonesia spearheaded the push for U Thant's appointment. Despite initial resistance from traditional Western powers, his broad support among the Non-Aligned Movement and endorsements from key figures like Adlai Stevenson cemented his selection.

4. U Thant’s Leadership During the Cuban Missile Crisis

One of the most critical junctures of U Thant's tenure was his pivotal role during the Cuban Missile Crisis, a peak moment of Cold War tensions that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.

• Geopolitical Tensions ([12:59] - [14:18]):
  "Khrushchev wanted to smuggle them in and then when the Americans found out... everyone was on edge."

  The clandestine deployment of Soviet medium-range missiles to Cuba threatened to disrupt the global balance of power, prompting a fierce response from the United States and escalating the potential for catastrophic conflict.

• Mediation Efforts ([14:18] - [16:01]):
  "He was exactly in the right place to try to mediate."

  Leveraging his established rapport with both Kennedy and Khrushchev, U Thant acted as an impartial mediator. His unique position allowed him to facilitate critical communications between the superpowers, fostering dialogue that was instrumental in de-escalating the crisis.

• Behind-the-Scenes Influence ([16:11] - [18:46]):
  "Kennedy gives his famous speech on 22 October announcing a blockade... he sends a second message to Khrushchev."

  U Thant's discreet interventions, including persuasive messaging and private meetings with key leaders like Fidel Castro, played a significant role in persuading both sides to seek peaceful resolutions. His ability to communicate effectively across cultural and ideological divides was crucial in averting a global catastrophe.

5. Impact and Legacy

The episode concludes by reflecting on the enduring legacy of U Thant's leadership and the broader implications of his tenure for the United Nations and international relations.

• Historical Significance ([18:46] - [20:41]):
  "He was the only ambassador from what was then called Third World countries that would go to Israeli receptions... prevented him from making a really inflammatory speech."

  U Thant's tenure marked a transformative period for the UN, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and neutrality. His efforts not only navigated the organization through immediate crises but also laid the groundwork for future peacekeeping and diplomatic initiatives.

• Long-Term Effects:
  U Thant's mediation during the Cuban Missile Crisis showcased the potential for international diplomacy to resolve even the most intractable conflicts. His leadership style, characterized by empathy, patience, and strategic thinking, continues to serve as a model for UN officials and diplomats worldwide.

Notable Quotes

• Thant Mint U on Trygve Lie ([01:52]):
  "He had lost balance in this tightrope between the superpowers."

• Thant Mint U on Dag Hammarskjold ([03:15]):
  "He was killed in September."

• Anita Anand on U Thant’s Unconventional Path ([06:20] - [06:25]):
  "He wasn't white. He was from Burma. He wasn't... one of the usual club types."

• Thant Mint U on U Thant's Mediation ([16:11]):
  "He sends a second message to Khrushchev, asking Khrushchev to turn back the ships from the confrontation line."

• Anita Anand on U Thant’s Impact ([20:41]):
  "He prevented him [Castro] from making a really inflammatory speech that could have made things much worse."

Conclusion

This episode of "Empire" highlights the intricate interplay of personalities, geopolitical strategies, and historical events that shaped the mid-20th century international landscape. By focusing on the enigmatic figures of Dag Hammarskjold and U Thant, William Dalrymple and Anita Anand shed light on the profound impact of leadership and diplomacy during periods of great turmoil. The exploration of the Congo Crisis and the Cuban Missile Crisis underscores the delicate balance maintained by international institutions like the United Nations, and the critical role individuals play in steering global affairs towards peace and stability.

For listeners eager to delve deeper into these historical narratives and gain exclusive insights, consider becoming a member of the Empire Club at empirepoduk.com.