SLD
Contributor
Reading a great history of Vietnam War. It really raises the question of where we went wrong. Obviously we did at several points. It’s hard to pinpoint one moment in particular - aside from paying the French to stay in there after WWII. The problem is compounded by the myriad of issues facing the United States at that time. The accusation of losing China. The relative success of establishing a stable South Korea - although run by a dictator. No way could any politician advocate just walking away. Both right and left we’re determined to save Vietnam.
So why couldn’t we recreate the model of South Korea? If I would point to one event it would be the coup against Diem. That just resulted in a succession of coups and military infighting. Diem sucked for sure but removing him just worsened the situation. It’s still conceivable that Vietnam could’ve evolved differently and ultimately into a pseudo South Korea had Diem been allowed to stay on. Maybe not. The one advantage SK had was geography. Being on a peninsula meant it was hard for NK to launch a guerrilla campaign. The Viet Cong could be easily supplied by sanctuaries in Laos and Cambodia.
Thoughts?
SLD
So why couldn’t we recreate the model of South Korea? If I would point to one event it would be the coup against Diem. That just resulted in a succession of coups and military infighting. Diem sucked for sure but removing him just worsened the situation. It’s still conceivable that Vietnam could’ve evolved differently and ultimately into a pseudo South Korea had Diem been allowed to stay on. Maybe not. The one advantage SK had was geography. Being on a peninsula meant it was hard for NK to launch a guerrilla campaign. The Viet Cong could be easily supplied by sanctuaries in Laos and Cambodia.
Thoughts?
SLD