The world, this day in 1966 was engulfed in one crisis or another. The Middle-East, no stranger to crises, was yet another conflict well on its way to reach boiling point by the time December was over.
But to be fair, the Middle-East was not unique. We had the Soviet Union and the Cold War to contend with – we had Vietnam, which was spiraling out of control. We had The Dominican Republic which, alongside Cuba posed one of the biggest threats for violence in the Western Hemisphere. Africa, with its sweeping changes brought about by the end of a colonial presence was pitted in struggle between hard-won Democracy and Military Junta.
This special report, Crisis In The Middle East, focuses on growing tensions along the Israel-Jordanian border and the potential power-play that could ensue. Israel was closely aligned with the U.S. in aid and military support – Syria, Egypt and Jordan were closely aligned with the Soviet Union – an escalated conflict could result in a larger issue. The issue with Jordan had several conflicts going – one; being the criticism that Jordan’s King Hussein was being soft on the situation, preferring negotiation rather than armed confrontation.
The crisis was far from over when this broadcast aired. Since the Middle-East had been in a state of perpetual crisis since 1948. the idea Jordan would be the flashpoint seemed remote But also like everything else in the Middle-East – nothing was for certain; war or peace.
Here is that Special report, as it was broadcast on December 12, 1966 from NBC Radio.
Crisis In The Middle East – December 12, 1966
The world, this day in 1966 was engulfed in one crisis or another. The Middle-East, no stranger to crises, was yet another conflict well on its way to reach boiling point by the time December was over.
But to be fair, the Middle-East was not unique. We had the Soviet Union and the Cold War to contend with – we had Vietnam, which was spiraling out of control. We had The Dominican Republic which, alongside Cuba posed one of the biggest threats for violence in the Western Hemisphere. Africa, with its sweeping changes brought about by the end of a colonial presence was pitted in struggle between hard-won Democracy and Military Junta.
This special report, Crisis In The Middle East, focuses on growing tensions along the Israel-Jordanian border and the potential power-play that could ensue. Israel was closely aligned with the U.S. in aid and military support – Syria, Egypt and Jordan were closely aligned with the Soviet Union – an escalated conflict could result in a larger issue. The issue with Jordan had several conflicts going – one; being the criticism that Jordan’s King Hussein was being soft on the situation, preferring negotiation rather than armed confrontation.
The crisis was far from over when this broadcast aired. Since the Middle-East had been in a state of perpetual crisis since 1948. the idea Jordan would be the flashpoint seemed remote But also like everything else in the Middle-East – nothing was for certain; war or peace.
Here is that Special report, as it was broadcast on December 12, 1966 from NBC Radio.
And while you’re here . . .
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