comfortable - you know how the military view us diplomats.
“ As you may imagine, our historians have run a number of simulations to try and predict what is safe to reveal to Wilson at this point. They’ll discuss that with you as soon as we are done here – assuming you agree to host the dinner?”
“ Minister, I tend to agree that such a meeting at the embassy will be most welcome. We will cooperate with you to the extent that it serves the best interest of my country.”
“ Ambassador, I appreciate your candor in this matter. There should be no problem. In the here and now Israel and Britain are natural allies against a common enemy.” The Foreign Minister smiled as he stood and extended his hand, which Thomas Harvey shook.
From the foreign minister’s office, the still-dazed ambassador was escorted to a comfortable briefing room. The presentation by the pleasant history professor was fascinating. Harvey had never considered the possibility of alternate courses history might take due to small changes. He directed his attention back from his musings about the complications of alternate history to interrupt what the historian was saying. “But why not share as much technology as possible?”
“ It would seem on the face of it that if we expose the British to as much of our technology as possible, it will help them win the war faster and with less casualties. This is an illusion. Consider this: We show them a fighter jet. A likely result will be that they direct some resources to duplicating it. In the absence of all the supporting industries and with their resources already stretched thin, the air superiority balance in the coming years may shift just enough to lose the war or, at best, extend it significantly. The same goes for most of the sophisticated stuff we have. Our technology, in most instances, is too far advanced for 1941 engineers to be able to replicate. There will be things they will be able to manufacture only 20 years from now – like computer chips. I assure you we ran a number of simulations, using very advanced strategic planning software, and came up with a scenario that allows our allies to benefit almost immediately without disrupting their war effort. This is what we propose…”
After hours listening to the Israeli proposals, Harvey went back to his embassy. He was pleased. Not only was he going to serve his country, but at the s ame time he had a great opportunity to advance his career. He will be the one to introduce the British Empire to the Israelis and will orchestrate the first encounter. He was sure he would be rewarded by the British. If only his family could know. His wife was back at the embassy of course, but their daughter and both sons were somewhere in the future – independent adults with families of their own who didn’t think much of his career. If only they could see him now!
***
After his meeting with Thomas Harvey the Foreign Minister had another meeting, one he had tried to avoid for a couple of days but decided he could avoid no more.
The U.S. ambassador was waiting in a small conference room.
“ Hello Dan,” the minister greeted the American. “What can I do for you today?”
“ Hi, Nathan. I understand and accept your general announcement and the new emergency laws. I also assume that we are going to be exempt from the limitations. Is that correct?”
“ My friend, it is not in my power to grant exemptions, and I don’t think that the government will do that either, but that would depend on what exactly it is that you want.”
The U.S. Ambassador smiled a self assured smile: “As opposed to the other diplomats here, I represent a great power. A great power that was friendly to the State of Israel in its time of need. I am sure that your government will not want to diminish this relationship. I would like the embassy to be free to communicate with the U.S. and do the job we are here to do.”
The Foreign Minister lit a cigar – something he
“ As you may imagine, our historians have run a number of simulations to try and predict what is safe to reveal to Wilson at this point. They’ll discuss that with you as soon as we are done here – assuming you agree to host the dinner?”
“ Minister, I tend to agree that such a meeting at the embassy will be most welcome. We will cooperate with you to the extent that it serves the best interest of my country.”
“ Ambassador, I appreciate your candor in this matter. There should be no problem. In the here and now Israel and Britain are natural allies against a common enemy.” The Foreign Minister smiled as he stood and extended his hand, which Thomas Harvey shook.
From the foreign minister’s office, the still-dazed ambassador was escorted to a comfortable briefing room. The presentation by the pleasant history professor was fascinating. Harvey had never considered the possibility of alternate courses history might take due to small changes. He directed his attention back from his musings about the complications of alternate history to interrupt what the historian was saying. “But why not share as much technology as possible?”
“ It would seem on the face of it that if we expose the British to as much of our technology as possible, it will help them win the war faster and with less casualties. This is an illusion. Consider this: We show them a fighter jet. A likely result will be that they direct some resources to duplicating it. In the absence of all the supporting industries and with their resources already stretched thin, the air superiority balance in the coming years may shift just enough to lose the war or, at best, extend it significantly. The same goes for most of the sophisticated stuff we have. Our technology, in most instances, is too far advanced for 1941 engineers to be able to replicate. There will be things they will be able to manufacture only 20 years from now – like computer chips. I assure you we ran a number of simulations, using very advanced strategic planning software, and came up with a scenario that allows our allies to benefit almost immediately without disrupting their war effort. This is what we propose…”
After hours listening to the Israeli proposals, Harvey went back to his embassy. He was pleased. Not only was he going to serve his country, but at the s ame time he had a great opportunity to advance his career. He will be the one to introduce the British Empire to the Israelis and will orchestrate the first encounter. He was sure he would be rewarded by the British. If only his family could know. His wife was back at the embassy of course, but their daughter and both sons were somewhere in the future – independent adults with families of their own who didn’t think much of his career. If only they could see him now!
***
After his meeting with Thomas Harvey the Foreign Minister had another meeting, one he had tried to avoid for a couple of days but decided he could avoid no more.
The U.S. ambassador was waiting in a small conference room.
“ Hello Dan,” the minister greeted the American. “What can I do for you today?”
“ Hi, Nathan. I understand and accept your general announcement and the new emergency laws. I also assume that we are going to be exempt from the limitations. Is that correct?”
“ My friend, it is not in my power to grant exemptions, and I don’t think that the government will do that either, but that would depend on what exactly it is that you want.”
The U.S. Ambassador smiled a self assured smile: “As opposed to the other diplomats here, I represent a great power. A great power that was friendly to the State of Israel in its time of need. I am sure that your government will not want to diminish this relationship. I would like the embassy to be free to communicate with the U.S. and do the job we are here to do.”
The Foreign Minister lit a cigar – something he
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