Australia's Des Ball praised | Bangkok Post: news

News > Investigative Report

From Cold War to the 'Tor Chor Dor'

Desmond Ball, the professor who helped avert nuclear holocaust during the global arms race and exposed the workings of US military installations in Australia, is also one of the foremost experts on ethnic conflict in Myanmar and Thailand's dizzying array of border paramilitaries

Published: 10 Feb 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: Spectrum

At the height of the nuclear arms race during the Cold War, US military strategists theorised that if tensions escalated, controlled nuclear strikes against the Soviets could force them to back down.

It took an Australian academic, professor Desmond Ball, to point out that nuclear war was inherently uncontrollable; once control centres were neutralised, a superpower would likely retaliate with as much of its arsenal as it could mobilise.

Mr Ball worked as a consultant for US president Jimmy Carter and secretary of state Robert McNamara, and his rational warnings about missile escalations may have helped avert a nuclear holocaust.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Most Viewed

Karun-Tankhun confrontation (video)

A video clip of former Pheu Thai MP Karun Hosakul exchanging heated words with his former election rival Tankhun Jitt-itsara of the opposition Democrat Party has gone viral.

Forum

Your comments

ATNN
Post : 148
Send message

Discussion 5 : 10 Feb 2013 at 17.205
Post this to my Facebook
Of course it was the Thahan Prahn - Seh Daeng, who assembled, trained, and directed them on behalf of Thaksin openly admitted as much. They worked INSIDE UDD lines for weeks - if they were anything other than a murderous mercenary army hired by the UDD, why'd the UDD leadership allow them to use their mob for cover the entire time?
Like dislike 5 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment
jacksprat
Post : 2,445
Send message

Discussion 4 : 10 Feb 2013 at 16.084
Post this to my Facebook
"Army reforms were set back under Thaksin, but they're more accountable. The Pheu Thai government isn't very interested in reforming the police, but they're by far the most corrupt security agency." He is sure to find himself persona non grata in Thailand for saying that.
Like dislike 4 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
john49
Post : 484
Send message

Discussion 3 : 10 Feb 2013 at 14.233
Post this to my Facebook
It is good to hear the independent opinion of someone as respected as Desmond Ball on the many security problems in Thailand.

But, unfortunately this is Thailand and he, or people like him won't be employed to try and aleviate these problems because no one important to the powers that be get killed or injured.
Like dislike 9 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
waters
Post : 487
Send message

Discussion 2 : 10 Feb 2013 at 10.332
Post this to my Facebook
I admire the work and findings of Desmond Ball, and hope that the soon to be released books will find their way into libraries and bookstores in Thailand, translated into the Thai language.

Who am I kidding?.....these books will probably be banned in Thailand after publication for exposing the truth.
Like dislike 28 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
abbub
Post : 2,026
Send message

Discussion 1 : 10 Feb 2013 at 08.441
Post this to my Facebook
One man's opinion.

- yes unless the legitimate grievances of the "red shirt" countryside are addressed, havoc is a risk. And yes, the red shirts/UDD need to detach themselves form TS and the PTP. But...by not supporting them one automatically supports the status quo. "Huis clos".

- yes it is "possible" what he says about the MIB but it is one possibility among many.

- his most dubious remark is "rocket-propelled grenade that killed Col Romklao".

Most experts have agreed it was likely NOT a RPG.
Like dislike 9 people liked / 20 people disliked this comment