As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I have witnessed countless simulations and scenarios unfold on my screens – from medieval battles to futuristic space wars. However, nothing quite compares to the chilling realism of “War Game.” Having grown up during the Cold War era, the thought of a national security crisis was always a looming specter in the back of my mind. But what Moss and Gerber’s documentary showcases is a far more terrifying prospect: a threat from within our own ranks.
As a fervent admirer, I was intrigued when I learned that Jesse Moss and Tony Gerber’s documentary, titled War Game, delves into a war simulation designed to assess the nation’s preparedness for a national security emergency. My mind swiftly conjured up hypothetical situations involving potential threats from global powers like China or Russia. However, my speculations proved incorrect. Instead, this documentary focuses on an internal threat – a type of insurrection, such as the one that unfolded on January 6, 2021. The film, debuting for U.S. audiences at NYC’s Film Forum, serves as a chilling reminder that similar events could recur, and the possibility seems even more imminent if a particular Republican presidential candidate were to escalate the violence further.
The film creators have a background handling similar ideas, notably directing ‘Boys State’ and ‘Girls State’, where teams of youth tried to establish democratic governments, as well as creating ‘Full Battle Rattle’, a documentary about the U.S. Army’s mock battlefield scenarios in California’s Mojave Desert that replicated Iraqi conditions.
The latest project by the directors examines a hypothetical scenario involving a coup attempt after a disputed presidential election, as staged by Vet Voice, a veterans’ advocacy group. Essentially, this is reminiscent of the events on Jan. 6, but with an extra layer of complexity – the involvement of military personnel potentially supporting the insurrectionists. A key participant in this exercise, former North Dakota senator Heidi Heitkamp, describes it as “Coup Prevention 101.”
Heitkamp is one of several current and past political and military figures participating in a drill, similar to the 2000 live-broadcast adaptation of “Fail Safe.” In addition to Heitkamp, notable participants include former Montana governor Steve Bullock portraying “President John Hotham,” ex-Alabama senator Doug Jones as the Attorney General, retired NATO commander Wesley Clark as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, well-known for his text controversy, former FBI agent Peter Strzok playing the role of the FBI director, and Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera acting as the secretary of defense.
The “Game Consultants” consist of neoconservative commentator Bill Kristol and former Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, who has firsthand knowledge of interacting with potential autocrats.
In a remarkably convincing performance, each character seems as if they’ve been secretly honing their acting skills off-screen. Among them is Chris Coffey, portraying the disgruntled ex-presidential candidate Robert Strickland, who finds it hard to swallow his narrow defeat. Stricken by frustration, Strickland enlists a fictitious group, resembling the Oath Keepers, named the Order of Columbus, to stage an uprising aimed at seizing control over the U.S. Capitol and several state capitals. Shockingly, some military personnel are implicated in this treacherous act of sedition by lending their support to these insurgents.
The designer of the game explains that its purpose is to put our national security system under pressure, simulating a realistic depiction of the Situation Room. As the president and his team brainstorm their response strategies, fictional news broadcasts report on these events, accompanied by inflammatory videos and social media posts from the Order of Columbus leaders and Strickland, who urges his supporters to unite and reclaim the glory of the American people and the nation. (Does this sound familiar?)
In the unfolding scenario of the exercise, the president and his advisors are debating whether to use the Insurrection Act, a measure compared to the “nuclear option” by one participant. The president seems hesitant about such a drastic action. Some, including Heitkamp, advocate for its consideration, while others advise caution, warning that the power could be misused. One voice in the room comments, “We’re advising this guy. This isn’t Trump.”
The overall event carries a noticeable air of being staged, which occasionally gives it a somewhat absurd feel. Yet, despite any cinematic awkwardness, it powerfully conveys a plausible portrayal of a terrifying situation that might unfold in the near future. What’s especially chilling is the fact mentioned during the closing credits, that close to 20% of the defendants from the January 6th incident are military veterans.
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2024-07-31 23:25