Posted on 08/09/2008 7:30:19 PM PDT by Ultra Sonic 007
Now, I'm sure almost everyone here has heard of Tom Clancy. I'm sure a number of you also know of various books and video games that carry his name, but are not necessarily completely created by him (story-wise).
I will say that he seems to have an uncanny knack for seeing the future.
Case in point: the plot summary of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon, a video game published for the PC in 2001.
Here's the plot summary for Ghost Recon.
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Ghost Recon
Ghost Recon begins in August 2008, with civil unrest in Russia. Ultra-nationalists have seized power in Moscow, with plans to rebuild the Iron Curtain. Their first step is clandestine support of rebel factions in Georgia and the Baltic States. This storyline foreshadows the 2008 South Ossetia War. This is where the Ghosts come in: to silence the rebellion. Armed with some of the most advanced weaponry in the world, the soldiers of the Ghost Recon force are covertly inserted into Eastern Europe and given specific missions to curtail the rebel actions and overthrow their benefactors.
The game's storyline stems from political turmoil that came to light a few years earlier, in which the Ultra-nationalist regime came to power and placed its leader, Dmitri Arbatov, as Russia's president. By 2007, the threat posed by the Arbatov Administration became clear. Russia forms an alliance called the Russian Democratic Union (RDU), which is made up of the previously conquered countries of Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. Together, they launch a campaign to revive the long-dissolved Soviet Union by taking back all of the former Soviet republics.
During the first few missions of the game, the Ghosts battle South Ossetian rebel forces from the north of Georgia, who are harassing the legitimate government and its allies. The Ghosts fight in the forests, on farms, and in villages while assisting their NATO allies in fighting the enemy. Unfortunately, the Russian government complains to the United Nations that the Americans have interfered in their affairs, and eventually they send in their army to aid the South Ossetian rebels. The U.S. cannot hope to stop the Russian Army from invading Georgia, so the Ghosts slow down the invading forces so that their allies can evacuate. Eventually, the Ghosts are all that's left of the U.S. forces in Georgia, and they evacuate by SH-60 Seahawk helicopter on the rooftop of the American Embassy in T'bilisi, just barely avoiding the Russian forces. The Georgian government flees to Geneva and sets up a government-in-exile. Sadly, with the fall of T'bilisi, Georgia surrenders and is forcefully incorporated into the RDU.
After Georgia falls, the Caucasus region is vulnerable to further attacks. The Georgian government, Great Britain, Germany, and the U.S. all protest the Russian invasion, but Moscow ignores this. Russia then focuses on invading the Baltic States on Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. In response to this, the Ghosts are sent behind enemy lines to find intelligence on the enemy attack. Unfortunately, the Russians launch their attack early and overrun the Baltic States within days. The Ghosts then are sent back in to slow the invasion down so NATO reinforcements can arrive from Germany. After cutting off the Russian reinforcements, the Ghosts fight alongside American forces to push the Russian Army out of the Baltics. Victories are won within the next months in Utena and Rezekne, and finally, NATO reaches Vilnius, Lithuania. The city was almost leveled after the invasion, but it is eventually liberated with some help from the Ghosts, forcing the Russian Army to abandon the invasion.
The loss of the Baltic states takes its toll on Russia. President Arbatov is blamed for the disaster and placed under house arrest, starting rumors about a coup de'tat. The Ghosts then run into Russia to free American and Russian POWs opposed to the government. Some time later, President Arbatov is executed. This sparks a rebellion all across Russia that borderlines on civil war. The Ultra-nationalists quickly lose the support of the people, and many members of the RDU are also liberated or quit the alliance. The Ghosts are then sent on a campaign to disable the combat capabilities of several Ultra-nationalist military bases, such as the naval base at Murmansk and the airbase at Arkhangel'sk. They destroy several subs and prototype aircraft, making Russian Forces combat ineffective in Naval and Air warfare. While the Ghosts are striking bases, the Ultra-nationalists engage in battle with American troops and Russian forces that are now opposed to the government north of Moscow. Unfortunately, the Ultra-nationalist forces detonated a nuclear bomb during the battle. This act of terror causes the Ultra-nationalist regime to lose all legitimacy in the international community, prompting an immediate invasion of Moscow.
After the Ghosts succeed in weakening the Russian fighting force, NATO forces launched an assault on Moscow, with the Ghosts spearheading the assault. By this time, the Ultra-nationalists have lost control of most of their territories, and the RDU was effectively dissolves. The remaining Ultra-nationalist forces holed up their tanks, snipers, Spetsnaz, helicopters, and artillery in the wooded areas surrounding Moscow as a last line of defense. However, the Ghosts break through the lines and clear a path for NATO forces. On November 10, NATO forces finally reach Moscow and are joined by friendly Russians. The city was partially deserted, as many Russians fled prior to the attack. The Ghosts were sent in to finish the job once and for all. After assisting NATO forces, the Ghosts attack Red Square. The Ghosts then proceed to wipe out the Russian defenders guarding the walls of the Kremlin. Without any remaining defenses, the Ultra-nationalists, led by Prime Minister Karpin, finally surrendered and both the Americans and the newly-liberated Russians celebrated their victory in Red Square. However, the world would feel the effects of the war for years to come.
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Bolded parts for emphasis.
We haven't quite gone through the whole plot yet, but it'll be interesting to see where the story deviates.
Nothing earth-shattering, so to speak. Just wondering how accurate it'll end up being.
So...how 'bout that Tom Clancy?
did you read the Dragon and the Bear?
A somewhat nonsensical ping about a serious subject (the Russian/Georgian War).
Haven’t cared a fig for Clancey since he became a Clinton backer in the 1990s.
No, I haven’t.
He also said that terrorism was a law enforcement issue on John McLaughlin CNBC show circa 1990.
All I can say is, in these interesting times, NoBama.
Better he should get this one right than “Red Storm Rising” or “Executive Orders.”
I may as well document my prediction here. China will successfully invade and assume control of Siberia for its oil.
Never, ever, never trust a Clinton supporter. Branded for life...
It won’t go even close to that way. The donks and MSM’s constant beating up of GW has limited his options for responding. Without the US taking the lead, Europe won’t do squat. As a result, the Bear has a free hand to rebuild the USSR. BTW, that is exactly what the anti-American treasonous left, including the Democrap Party, want to happen.
Their plans go further, too. Harrassment of GOP donors by leftist brownshirts has aready begun. Harrassment of GOP voters also occurs regularly. Just try putting a GOP or McCain bumper sticker on your car anywhere outside of Texas, and you’ll see what I mean. Actual violence and/or a pogom isn’t far around the corner.
Of course, when they try, the backlash will be HUGE because we are well armed and won’t go silently into that good night. What that will mean, though, is blood in the streets, and no matter who wins (we will), the US will be weakened at least in the short term. Again, that is exactly what the anti-American treasonous left, including the Democrap Party, want to happen. It is a win-win for them.
We are in for some tough times.
Well, Clancy was uncomfortably close in his book where he had a jet fly into the capital building.
I rarely read novels anymore, only those that give me insight into the real world, such as The Haj by Leon Uris.
Clancey is a braggart. His novel are about 800 pages long yet only about 400 are needed. He tries to overwhelm his readers on his knowledge of military affairs (which he does have a lot). I have also noticed that his newer novels have more “sex scenes” in them.
Yup, with our tacit approval if not actual support (air cover), too. It’s the surprise alliance mentioned by Nostrodamus (if you believe in that type of thing).
“China will successfully invade and assume control of Siberia for its oil.”
Though it may be your prediction, you weren’t the first to say it. I picked up Tom Clancy’s ‘Debt of Honor’ two weeks ago and that was one of the leading storyline (well, a Chinese/Japanese alliance)
I thought “Debt of Honor” was riding the anti-Japanese tide of the early 90s.
Chinese/Japanese/Indian alliance
Dunring the primary Clancy gave money to the Duncan Hunter campaign. (a conservative republican)
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