Chapter 213
Chapter 213
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Arms Race
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In Korea's backyard, the collapse of one developing country failed to draw anyone's attention.
In fact, far more important news had captured the world's gaze.
"Our German Restoration Society will restore tradition by bringing back the House of Hohenzollern to the throne."
The news of the House of Hohenzollern's return sent shockwaves around the globe.
"The House of Hohenzollern's comeback? Are those bastards really planning to revive the German Empire?"
No one could stay silent about the grand spectacle orchestrated by Manstein.
"That's a violation of the constitution!"
"Constitution? Just amend the damn thing."
Even during the Weimar Republic era, the Junkers had shown no respect for the constitution.
Things hadn't changed now.
"Brothers, is this really happening?"
Neighboring countries, anxiously watching Germany's rightward shift, once again sought assurances from Washington and London.
"If the Germans get out of line, we'll beat them down, so don't worry."
Washington and London turned a blind eye to Germany's rampage for the same old reason: the anti-Communist bulwark logic.
'Even if the Germans pump up their militarism, who are they going to fight? The reds, right?'
From that perspective, letting Germany go all-in on military power was advantageous for the West.
The neighbors felt a sense of déjà vu upon hearing this explanation from the Anglo-Americans.
'Didn't they say the same thing back in the interwar period while letting Hitler grow?'
Amid such concerns, Germany began ramping up its armaments.
"No nukes? Fine, then we need a solid conventional force. Let's aim for 5,000 tanks!"
The Soviets watched Germany's moves with deep unease.
The Soviet military immediately seized on the issue to demand their own arms buildup.
"Germany's expanding its military? Arms reduction? Absolutely not."
Khrushchev's carefully prepared conventional arms reduction plans ground to a halt.
"But we can achieve mutual assured destruction with nukes."
"General Secretary Comrade. Nukes are just toys for intimidation. The real deal is tanks flooding the plains."
Not some girly nukes, but 100,000 sturdy tanks—that was far more threatening to the enemy.
That was the military's argument.
But where was the money to maintain those 100,000 tanks supposed to fall from the sky?
Just thinking about it made Khrushchev sigh.
'Pouring 40% of the national budget into the military—how are we supposed to catch up to America like this?'
They were at the point where they had to worry about being overtaken by Korea.
After much deliberation, Khrushchev proposed arms control talks to Goldwater.
"Mr. President of the United States. Your Excellency, isn't it time we both thought about peace? If we just cut back on the massive, pointless military spending we're wasting, both our peoples could enjoy a more prosperous tomorrow."
Even if the other side was a hardline hawk, Khrushchev figured they must be feeling the arms race burden too.
But Goldwater's response defied common sense.
"General Secretary Khrushchev. Your Excellency, we view your proposal for arms reduction talks positively. However, for such talks to proceed properly, the Soviet side must first demonstrate sincere commitment on military matters—that is our position."
"Mr. President of the United States. Your Excellency, we can't have a dialogue like that. Isn't it common sense for both sides to stop the arms race equally and reduce together?"
"General Secretary Khrushchev. Your Excellency, you made the first proposal, so you should show some concessions. Then we can trust and respond, right?"
Khrushchev was outraged by Goldwater's reply.
'Is this guy insane? Does he think we're some defeated nation begging for talks?'
Reduce arms first just to have a conversation?
They were already on thin ice after backing down on Cuba—conceding here would make it hard for Khrushchev to keep his head.
The Soviet-American dialogue attempt ended in failure just like that.
In truth, Goldwater had his reasons for responding so aggressively.
"The reds must be parched right now too. We're struggling, so imagine how bad they have it."
The hawks in the military urged Goldwater to maintain military spending with such talk.
It was really just a ploy to preserve their own positions.
But Goldwater saw through their scheme—yet he went along with it.
Because he believed their logic was sound.
"You have a point."
Push the arms race a bit further, and the reds would back down first.
Win the game of chicken, and America could recover the prestige lost to the Sputnik shock.
Seeing that vision, Goldwater shouted "Go."
"Your Excellency, Mr. President. Still, kicking dialogue to the curb is risky. At least keep some channels open, no?"
White House staffers once again voiced concerns over the hardline stance.
"That's why you show weakness—they see the opening and keep up the psychological warfare."
Goldwater planned to keep playing this game of chicken through this term, and the next if needed.
Of course, the space race too.
Keep pushing the competition, and nukes wouldn't destroy them—massive debt would crush the reds.
"With Germany boosting its military, this is our chance. Keep the arms race going."
Goldwater decided to drive the reds to the brink with the chicken game.
"Your Excellency truly intends to see this through to the end."
They couldn't put the brakes on the current arms race either.
ICBMs, SLBMs, new hydrogen bombs, satellites, nuclear navy—nothing could be easily abandoned to secure America's defenses.
As America heated up the arms race, the Soviet military demanded even more spending.
"40% of the national budget isn't enough. This won't even stop the imperialists from buzzing our airspace."
"You're already gobbling up all the available budget. And now you want more?"
"The nation's survival comes first. A country that abandons security has no tomorrow."
Khrushchev desperately resisted the military's pressure for expansion.
"I can't increase it further. At this rate, the federation will collapse."
"General Secretary Comrade. If the imperialists have 1, we need at least 0.7. That's how we ensure survival."
"You know our economy is less than half theirs, right?"
"Our military doesn't know about such hardships."
Despite Khrushchev's opposition, the military ultimately got their way.
"45% of the national budget."
For the already strangled Soviets, it was a staggering figure.
Of course, America, which was overspending even more on arms, faced severe repercussions too.
"Cut all social welfare budgets?"
To fund military investments, the Goldwater administration slashed public sector spending drastically.
"Don't you know neoliberalism? That's how they gut welfare in Britain."
As the US and USSR engaged in this feverish arms race, the First and Second World nations had no choice but to accelerate their own buildups.
"Over 3% of GNP is tough. That's our red line."
"Hey now. With big brother shedding blood and charging ahead, you're whining over that little bit?"
Even France, which had declared independence from America's embrace, had to fall in line with the free world in this situation.
It was truly the pinnacle of Cold War madness.
*
A bleeding contest among the great powers?
To us, it was nothing but an exciting fireworks show.
Who wouldn't enjoy a free fireworks festival courtesy of others?
"The great powers' arms race is an opportunity for us. A chance to surpass them."
Smiles spread across the cabinet members' faces.
"Under Your Excellency's leadership, I believe we'll overtake Moscow within a few years."
That was a future I saw as certain too.
The problem wasn't the likes of the Soviets.
Our true rival was America, the ultimate boss in the capitalist bloc.
A cheat-key nation with infinite resources, economic power, and a vast domestic market.
I posed a question to the cabinet.
"What about Washington? Can we surpass them during my term?"
At my question, the cabinet members swallowed dryly.
Yes, that was the normal reaction.
America—the United States—was a colossal presence impossible to take lightly in any scenario.
"But at least no one's getting cold feet."
Only then did the mood lighten again.
"We know America is a daunting opponent."
"Keep that in mind. That daunting opponent will soon turn its eyes on us."
From the moment we surpass the Soviets, some Americans will start watching us.
Some will think Korea needs to be checked.
And in a few years, that thinking will materialize into action.
"But as long as the Soviets are around, America won't move openly."
"That's only temporary."
The Soviets couldn't endure this bleeding forever.
Even with reduced WWII damage, the Soviets' weight class was inherently inferior to America's.
This excessive arms race couldn't last more than five years at most.
When that time ends, the era of "post-Cold War" that should have come originally would arrive.
Then, wouldn't America's focus shift from Soviet tanks to Korean goods sweeping their domestic market?
I viewed the situation pessimistically rather than optimistically.
It was easier to handle variables in predictions that way.
"But Your Excellency will still be there then."
That, I couldn't guarantee.
If my health failed, even I couldn't hold onto power.
'If my judgment falters, I step down.'
That was the shortcut to not ruining the country like Putin.
"I'm not clinging to this seat forever. I'm just a normal person who bleeds if shot. How long do you plan to use me?"
Only then did the cabinet members show tense expressions.
"So stay on your toes. Got it?"
"We will keep it in mind."
In truth, today's meeting was to tighten discipline among the cabinet.
Prepare for a tomorrow without me.
I hoped they would engrave that in their bones.