News and history can sometimes be distorted by the media and politicians to suit their purpose and agenda. Whistleblowers, truth seekers, champions of the poor have often been suppressed and wronged. I take my hat off and bow to those who have the courage to expose misinformation and wrongdoing.
One heroic gentleman is Dr Gregory Clark. He was an official assigned to work in the East Asia division of Australia's former department of external affairs. His encounters with the bureaucratic set up were both frustrating and shocking when reporting on the Sino-Indian border clashes in the 1960s. His account gives us a glimpse of how officials could disregard facts and sex up reports to toe a certain line and fit the mould of policies and mindset. It therefore comes as no surprise that intelligence failures and erroneous assessments that led to major strategic blunders, terrorist attacks, loss of lives and missed opportunities could happen.
The Cold War may be over but the same tactics seem resurface now and then, and risk misunderstandings and hostilities.
Details can be found on the redcliff website.
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