173. The Korean War: Dividing the Peninsula

In this episode of Empire, Anita Arnon and William Dalrymple host Paul Thomas Chamberlin to discuss the Korean War, drawing from Chamberlin's book, "The Cold War's Killing Field." The discussion begins with the North Korean invasion of South Korea, challenging the Western perspective by highlighting the ongoing civil war context. They delve into the massacres committed by both sides, the American response, and the involvement of the UN under General Douglas MacArthur. MacArthur's controversial figure and his desire to escalate the war, including using nuclear weapons, are examined, leading to his eventual dismissal by President Truman. The conversation then shifts to China's intervention, the devastating impact of the war on Korea, and its broader implications for the Cold War and future conflicts, concluding with reflections on the ironies of the war's outcomes and the enduring tensions on the Korean Peninsula.