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President Bartlet's moral and political dilemma: whether to treat the Khundu slaughter as a crisis that demands U.S. intervention (and accept the human cost) vs. the operational, diplomatic, and political constraints that counsel caution.

President Bartlet's moral and political dilemma: whether to treat the Khundu slaughter as a crisis that demands U.S. intervention (and accept the human cost) vs. the operational, diplomatic, and political constraints that counsel caution.

7 events in this arc

Events in This Arc

S4E14 · Inauguration Part I
Khundu Briefing — Humanitarian Crisis Interrupts Doctrine

Leo interrupts the Oval Office rehearsal with a terse security briefing: government forces in the Republic of Equatorial Khundu have massacred civilians in Bitanga and as many as 200 Induye, …

S4E14 · Inauguration Part I
Forced-Depletion Report — Khundu's Human Cost Meets Rhetoric

In the Oval, a small domestic moment — Bartlet changing his mind about an inaugural Bible — is abruptly overshadowed by harsh policy reality. Leo brings up an oddly poetic …

S4E16 · The California 47th
Bitanga Secured — 101st Cleared, Operation Enters Phase Two

In the Situation Room, General Wendall's interrupted update becomes a turning point: he confirms the 82nd Airborne has completed the takeover of Bitanga Airport. The room erupts in relieved applause …

S4E16 · The California 47th
Bitanga Seized — Bartlet's 36‑Hour Ultimatum

After a brisk, political briefing with Leo about tax rollout headaches, Bartlet brusquely shifts into crisis mode when Ambassador Tiki arrives. He announces U.S. forces have taken Bitanga airport and …

S4E17 · Red Haven's On Fire
Closed Briefing — The Delta Force Decision

President Jed Bartlet quietly clears the room and joins Leo McGarry and Admiral Fitzwallace in a private, high-stakes briefing. Intelligence locates the three captured Marines near Bitanga; Leo warns that …

S4E17 · Red Haven's On Fire
From Rescue Relief to Red Haven Carnage

A tide of relief in the Situation Room—confirmation that Halley, Rowe and Hernandez are back—turns instantly into a political and moral crisis when Fitzwallace receives a terse note: Red Haven …

S4E17 · Red Haven's On Fire
Relief, Then Retaliation

In the Mural Room, Leo McGarry quietly breaks the families' unbearable suspense by announcing a successful Delta Force extraction — the three Marines are alive and en route to Ramstein. …