Pearl Harbor should not have qualified as an unexpected target given its importance and exposure. Political arrogance and misjudgment explain the failure better than conspiracy. American leaders assumed Japan would recognize an attack on U.S. territory and the Pacific Fleet as ultimately self-defeating. Their inability to imagine Japan accepting that risk created exactly the opening an ambush strategy required.
Notable Point · 24:11-26:11
Surprise, arrogance, and Pearl Harbor
Foreknowledge conspiracies are rejected in favor of American leaders' failure to imagine Japan choosing such a dangerous attack.