Whenever referring to the Russians, Clark repeatedly referred to them as the "Soviets," and didn't seem to understand that they were [ostensibly] working with NATO. His conversations always gave the impression that he had no clue that the Cold War ever ended.
We had indications that the Russians may decide that they wanted their own piece of land to administer. They've historically always supported their "Slav brethren" in the Balkans, and desperately want to be seen as a player on the world stage again.
So when Wesley received word that it looked like the Russians might move from their area in Bosnia, and head for Kosovo, he ordered this liaison officer, "Don't allow the Soviets to leave their compound."
So the liaison officer went to see the Russian Brigade Commander, and passed on Clark's desire that the Russians not leave. The Commander answered something to the effect that Russia will do what it thinks it needs to in the region, and that he would follow the orders of his superiors.
When this was passed along to Clark, he went nuts. Clark berated the liaison officer, and said that it was the officer's duty not to allow the Russians to leave their compound!
When the officer told Clark that the Russians were already lining up their combat vehicles he really started bouncing off the walls. The officer asked Clark how he expected the Brigade to be stopped by only one person armed with a 9mm pistol. Clark said, "I don't care what you have to do, just don't let them leave their compound."
At that point the Russians were already lined up in a column that stretched though the gates of their compound. Upon hearing this Clark mentioned a bridge that they'd have to cross shortly after leaving the compound, and told the liaison officer to do "whatever it takes to keep the Soviets from crossing that bridge!"
This one episode is the tip of the iceberg. I'v heard a great many stories from people who have worked directly for Clark, and the guy is power-crazy and dangerous.
And don't believe the stories about how "smart" he is. Surely you've known someone who gets straight "A's" without hardly trying, yet has no common sense. That's Wes Clark.
Don't believe me? Read his book [Waging Modern War]. Knowing the inside story before reading it really helped me see his character, but there's enough there for anyone to see what a moron Clark truely is.
Here's one example: I've read a great many books by senior officers. What do the good ones always mention? --Their staffs. They realize that they are successful because of how good their staff is, and how they as a leader interface with that staff. How many times does Wesley even mention his staff throughout the book? --NEVER. But he points out how great he is by making important decisions with no help all the time.
1982. Do you remember the USMC Captain who stopped an Israeli tank column with his .45, standing in their way and preventing them from moving up some long forgotten line of advance around Beirut? (He later quit the military over gays or women.) He was kind of kooky perhaps, and THAT time, he got away with it, acting unilaterally.
Imagine if the USA liason with the Russians had been a similar Dudley Do-Or-Die, when Clark had made the call to halt the Russian column. I wonder if the Ivans would have (I hope) just thrown a net over him before they moved out?
Sooner or later, Clark's get a nutty subordinate to carry out an insane plan, and havoc can result.
That's why Clark should NEVER get control of the nuclear football.
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BTW, your post deserves its own thread.