Empire Murder in the Congo, The Cuban Missile Crisis, & India in the UN (EXTRACT)
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Jun 15, 2025 
Thant Myint-U, a historian and author, sheds light on his grandfather U Thant's crucial diplomatic role as the first Asian UN Secretary General during the turbulent 1960s. He discusses U Thant's impact in averting global crises like the Cuban Missile Crisis through skilled diplomacy. The conversation reveals the mystery behind his predecessor’s death and the Congo crisis, as well as the rise of non-aligned nations at the Bandung Conference, highlighting how these events shaped the UN's future in a post-colonial world.
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Hammarskjöld's Mysterious Death
- Dag Hammarskjöld died in a mysterious plane crash during a peace mission in the Congo in 1961.
- Investigations suggest foul play, likely involving Belgian mercenaries, but the full truth remains unknown.
U Thant's Unlikely Rise
- U Thant was a Burmese schoolteacher who became UN Secretary-General after Hammarskjöld's death.
- He was chosen due to Afro-Asian solidarity, with leaders like Nehru and Nkrumah supporting him as a non-aligned candidate.
Bandung's Role in UN Leadership
- The Bandung Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement empowered Afro-Asian nations to demand greater influence at the UN.
- This unity helped position U Thant as a neutral leader acceptable to both superpowers.
