Part 5/7:
In an interesting twist, General Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the General Staff for Russia, called U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Charles Q. Brown shortly after the missile launch. This discussion aimed to clarify that the missile test was planned beforehand, countering any perceptions that it was executed as a reaction to Ukrainian strikes. This situation illustrates the delicate balance between showcasing military prowess at home while simultaneously managing international relations to avoid destructive miscommunications.