Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast From Buddhist teacher to UN Secretary-General: The legacy of U Thant
Nov 4, 2025
Thant Myint U, historian and grandson of U Thant, discusses his grandfather's pivotal role as UN Secretary-General amid Cold War crises. He explores U Thant's transformation from a Burmese teacher to a global diplomat, emphasizing his Buddhist principles that shaped his calm mediation style. Myint U highlights U Thant's critical interventions during the Cuban Missile Crisis and his advocacy for nuclear disarmament. Despite facing challenges, including strained relations over Vietnam, U Thant's vision for a just world remains a legacy worth remembering.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Childhood Memory With Moonwalkers
- Thant Myint-U recalls watching the Apollo 11 moon landing in his grandfather U Thant's bedroom as a child.
- The astronauts later visited the UN and gifted a moon rock that still resides there.
Decolonization Shifted UN Power
- U Thant rose because newly independent Afro-Asian states wanted their own leader at the UN helm.
- His neutrality and reputation as a conciliator won backing from diverse powers including the US and Afro-Asian bloc.
Buddhist Calm Drove Quiet Diplomacy
- Buddhism shaped U Thant's calm, stoic approach and ethical view of mediation.
- He preferred quiet, behind-the-scenes diplomacy and only publicly challenged leaders when necessary.
