An Attack of Pactitis

ALERT READERS will have spotted that this occasional column has changed its name. In deference to the prevailing view that the cold war has been won by the West, “The Protracted Conflict” has yielded to “World in Conflict.” If anything, the note of pessimism has deepened.

The aftermath of the Gulf War has done nothing to lighten the mood. The overthrow of a tyrant usually tempts the victors to have a go at remaking the international order. The trouble starts when the tyrant isn’t quite overthrown. Metternich’s glittering Congress of Vienna illustrates the problem. Napoleon was assumed to be out of action, since he had abdicated and been banished to Elba; then he went and spoilt it all by returning. Only after Waterloo and banishment to St. Helena could the Congressees get on with the job of creating or recreating kingdoms all over Europe.

BC

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Brian Crozier

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ALERT READERS will have spotted that this occasional column has changed its name. In deference to the prevailing view that the cold war has been won by the West, “The Protracted Conflict” has yielded to “World in Conflict.” If anything, the note of pessimism has deepened.

The aftermath of the Gulf War has done nothing to lighten the mood. The overthrow of a tyrant usually tempts the victors to have a go at remaking the international order. The trouble starts when the tyrant isn’t quite overthrown. Metternich’s glittering Congress of Vienna illustrates the problem. Napoleon was assumed to be out of action, since he had abdicated and been banished to Elba; then he went and spoilt it all by returning. Only after Waterloo and banishment to St. Helena could the Congressees get on with the job of creating or recreating kingdoms all over Europe.