Video

Print Print Email Email Share Share Cite Cite
Style: MLA APA Chicago Close

loading...

Citation by Easybib

Lessons Learned: The Seizure of the USS Pueblo

Speaker: James M. Lindsay, Director of Studies, Council on Foreign Relations
January 24, 2012

On January 23, 1968, the USS Pueblo was attacked by the North Korean navy in international waters. One U.S. sailor died in the attack, and the remaining eighty-two crew members were seized along with the ship. Despite overwhelming U.S. military superiority over North Korea, it was unable to secure the rapid release of the crew or vessel. The sailors were held for more than eleven months; the Pueblo remains in North Korean possession.

James M. Lindsay, CFR's senior vice president and director of studies, says the Pueblo incident illustrates an important lesson for the pursuit of foreign policy today: Great powers do not always prevail when facing smaller, less powerful states. So the ability of the United States to influence, for example, the course of Iran's nuclear program or the future of Syria's regime depends not only on military power but also on will, skill, and the ability to accurately assess costs and benefits, Lindsay says.

This video is part of Lessons Learned, a series dedicated to exploring historical events and examining their meaning in the context of foreign relations today.

Terms of Use: I understand that I may access this audio and/or video file solely for my personal use. Any other use of the file and its content, including display, distribution, reproduction, or alteration in any form for any purpose, whether commercial, noncommercial, educational, or promotional, is expressly prohibited without the written permission of the copyright owner, the Council on Foreign Relations. For more information, write publications@cfr.org.

More on This Topic