U Thant: The Diplomat Who Defined the 1960s
Summary
Historian Thant Mint Wu discusses his grandfather, UN Secretary-General U Thant, in his new book "Peacemaker." They explore U Thant’s role in the Non-Aligned Movement and his crucial diplomatic efforts during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The conversation highlights how U Thant’s Buddhist values and personal tragedies shaped his approach to Cold War geopolitics and post-colonial sovereignty.
Topics discussed
Introduction to U Thant and the book Peacemaker
U Thant's personality, diplomacy, and Buddhist influences
Burmese history, colonialism, and the Non-Aligned Movement
U Thant's rise to UN Secretary-General and early challenges
U Thant's mediation during the Cuban Missile Crisis
Failed peace efforts in Vietnam and clashes with the US
The Six-Day War, UN peacekeepers, and its aftermath
U Thant's retirement, legacy, and closing remarks
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