Long Telegram Kennan Summary

In his “long telegram” George Kennan outlined his views on the Soviet Union and gave a policy recommendation on how to combat Soviet aggression. Within his telegram, he also included an assessment of the Soviet threat to American interest around the world. Kennan explained that if Soviet power was to be secured, the harmony of society would be disrupted, the traditional way of life would be destroyed, and the international authority of the United States would be broken. Understanding that the Soviet’s political force had complete power of disposition over resources of one of the world’s richest national territories and its people, Kennan advocated that America approach the situation with the same diligence and care as they would a strategic

Walter Lippmann, a foreign policy intellectual, offered a counter to the Truman administration’s foreign policy plan which was built upon the foundation laid by George Kennan. Lippmann’s counter questioned America’s current diplomatic strategy of trying to contain the communist influence in the Soviet Union. He begins his counter by explaining that he agrees with Mr. X (Kennan) that the Soviet threat cannot be “charmed or talked out of existence.” However, he explains that his policy is misconceived and therefore has resulted in a misuse of American power. Lippmann disagrees with Kennan’s idea of reacting “at a series of constantly shifting geographical and political points” to the encroachment of Soviet power. He believes that this idea forces the U.S. to expend its energy and resources upon unnatural allies resulting in the neglection and alienation of natural allies in the Atlantic community. Lippmann explains that the U.S.’s allies are being alienated also because they are becoming “clients” of the U.S. and their lands are becoming battlefields in a war that they are not involved due to Mr. X’s diplomatic strategy. Lippmann also highlights the fact that Mr. X’s strategy left out the fact that the Soviet power was handed down directly powerful leaders of the Russian leader such as Stalin, Marx, Lenin, and many more. By neglecting such facts, Mr. X’s plan only account for the interaction of two forces: “the ideology inherited by the present Soviet leaders from the

In his counter to the Truman administration, besides questioning the current diplomatic strategy Lippmann also took the time to touch on the topic of “containment” and how the strategy was based on Mr. X’s fault assumptions. He believes that instead of adopting a strategy that tries to contain the problem, America should implement a strategy that concentrates on the problem created by the armistice”—which is on how the continent of Europe can be evacuated by the three non-European armies which are now inside of Europe” (Lipmann). He states that if that problem is not solved then there can be now hope in peace nor the restoration of independence in European nations. His proposed idea for a new strategy would, according to him, would cause a balance of power. The Soviet Army would be withdrawn and could no longer re-enter unless they used excessive military force which would cause a general war. The withdrawing of the Soviet Army is “the acid test” of their purpose and would clearly define the extent of their threat to the United States. Lippmann also suggested doing away with containment and in its place, execute a strategy with a set initiative and object in order to ensure success. Overall, Lippmann advocates for a plan that cannot be misrepresent, that keeps our natural allies, and does not exert excessive energy nor misuses American power, all downfalls he believes Mr. X’s plan