The New York Times article “Gates to Meet with Russian Defense Minister” is about the meeting between Russia’s defense minister and the defense secretary for the United States in the effort of bringing better solutions to the army of both countries. As ironic as might seem the United States and Russia at a point in history are enemies that fight each other at war, and just after this incident is when the two countries begin diplomatic talks; “It has been almost six years since a Russian defense minister set foot inside the Pentagon, and when Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates devotes Wednesday to hosting his Kremlin counterpart, Anatoly E. Serdyukov, they are expected to find common ground on a topic that would have been unimaginable during the cold war.” (The New York Times)
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the two main characters experience similar situation to the one experience by Russia and the United States. After Gilgamesh and Enkidu engage in a fight, this two become devoted and inseparable friends; “Enkidu blocked the entry to the marital chamber, and would not allow Gilgamesh to be brought in. They grappled with each other at the entry to the marital chamber, in the street they attacked each other, and […] they kissed each other and become friends.” (A, pp. 66-67)
The symbolical fight I elect to highlight in both readings draws the similarity between The New York Times article and the Epic of Gilgamesh, where this fight does not separate the United States and Russia as well as Gilgamesh and Enkidu, instead just bring them together as never before.
Thom Shanker and Michael Schwirtz. “Gates to Meet With Russian Defense Minister” The New York Times. Web September 14, 2010. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/world/europe/15military.html?_r=2&scp=2&sq=thom%20shanker%20and%20michael%20schwirtz&st=cse>
