Face-Off: The U.S. vs China THE GREAT WAGER EPISODE 2: Plots & Private Planes
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Oct 7, 2025 Explore the secretive strategies behind Nixon and Kissinger's clandestine trip to China during the Cold War. Discover how Pakistan was chosen for its discretion, and the amusing connection to Frank Sinatra's plane. Delve into Kissinger's surprising lack of expertise on China, the tense moments aboard the flight, and the complex dynamics during his first meeting with Premier Zhou Enlai. As geopolitics hang in the balance, witness Nixon's triumph and the global reactions to this groundbreaking diplomatic maneuver.
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Child Sees Kissinger's Secret
- John Huntsman as an 11-year-old watched Kissinger pack a leather bag and was asked to carry it to the driveway.
- Kissinger whispered to him, "don't tell anyone, but I'm going to China," revealing the trip's extreme secrecy.
Pakistan As A Secret Conduit
- The U.S. chose Pakistan as a discreet intermediary to smuggle an American envoy into China without alerting rivals or the press.
- Nixon saw opening China as a high-stakes strategic move to pressure the Soviet Union and influence Vietnam peace talks.
Frank Sinatra's Jet Reveals Details
- Kissinger enlisted Joe Farland, a former FBI agent and U.S. ambassador to Pakistan, to plan the clandestine flight and disguise.
- Farland flew to Palm Springs, noticed Sinatra-branded ashtrays on the jet, and confronted Kissinger about the secret mission.