2025-06-21
49 分钟The Economist The Union victory at Fort Donaldson gave the North strategic access to the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers.
It was February 1862, early in the Civil War,
and it was the first time a Confederate general surrendered to the Union.
That general, Simon Bolivar Buckner, went to West Point,
fought for the United States in the Mexican-American War.
So he knew when to call it quits.
After three days of battle in Tennessee, he capitulated and tried to negotiate.
The Union general responded that no terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted.
That general earned a new nickname, Unconditional Surrender Grant.
In truth, Ulysses S. Grant did accept some conditions,
like food and medical care for Confederate soldiers.
He showed compassion,
in part because Bolivar was an old friend who'd bailed Grant out when he was broke.
Now, President Trump has called for the unconditional surrender of Iran,
even though the two countries aren't officially at war.
Yet.
I'm John Priddo, and this is Checks and Balance from The Economist.
Each week, we take one big theme shaping American politics and explore it in depth.
Today, the week-old war between Israel and Iran.
Israel has targeted several Iranian commanders,