Editing X Article (section)

===Long term===
"The Sources of Soviet Conduct" widely introduced the term "containment".{{sfn|Gaddis|2005a|pp=24–25}} Reflecting on the article in his 1979 memoir, [[Henry Kissinger]] writes, "George Kennan came as close to authoring the diplomatic doctrine of his era as any diplomat in our history."<ref name="Kissinger 1979 135"/> Gaddis writes that Kennan's silence in the face of Lippmann's critiques resulted in the idea of containment becoming "synonymous, in the minds of most people who knew the phrase, with Truman's doctrine".{{sfn|Gaddis|2011|p=275}} Gaddis further writes that some have misinterpreted Kennan's views by placing undue emphasis on the "conspicuous but misleading 'X' article".{{sfn|Gaddis|2005a|p=53}}{{refn|group=note|As examples, Gaddis points to {{harvnb|Wright|1976}}, {{harvnb|Mark|1978}} and {{harvnb|Halle|1967|pp=106–108}}.{{sfn|Gaddis|2005a|pp=53, 404n2}}}}

In the article, Kennan uses the term "counterforce" rather than "counter-pressure" and does not explain its meaning, something he admitted in his memoirs led to confusion for readers.{{sfn|Gaddis|2005a|p=48n}} Kennan reassessed his views on perimeter defense after the article was published, instead shifting to the idea of "strongpoint defense", in which defense was instead focused on particular areas.{{sfn|Gaddis|2005a|p=57}}

Kennan recalled in his memoirs that his "entire diplomatic experience took place in rather high northern latitudes".<ref>{{harvnb|Kennan|1983|p=181}}, quoted in {{harvnb|Borstelmann|2005|p=321}}.</ref> [[Thomas Borstelmann]] writes that Kennan's few experiences outside of Europe contributed to his detestation of the people of Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America: "He tended to lump them together as impulsive, fanatical, ignorant, lazy, unhappy, and prone to mental disorders and other biological deficiencies."{{sfn|Borstelmann|2005|p=321}} In the first of his memoirs, published in 1967, Kennan links Soviet despotism to its leaders "attitude of Oriental secretiveness and conspiracy".<ref>{{harvnb|Kennan|1983|p=551}}, quoted in {{harvnb|Borstelmann|2005|p=321}}.</ref> In a 1942 lecture, he explained that the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 revealed the Russians were not "westernized" but instead "17th century semi-Asiatic people".{{sfn|Borstelmann|2005|p=321}} Borstelmann further writes that Kennan's perspectives on race were not unique to him but were instead common in his contemporary American policymaking circles.{{sfn|Borstelmann|2005|p=321}}