Iraq Isn't Like Vietnam -- Except When It Is

[Steve Blair]

There is also a certain segment of historical thought (that I happen to belong to) that feels that NVN allowed the Tet offensive (and the follow-on attacks) to continue so that the VCI WOULD be exposed and eliminated.

I've also always felt that there were at least two distinct conflicts going on simultaneously in Vietnam: one with NVN, one with the SVN VCI/Nationalists, and possibly a third with NVN's attempts to absorb Laos and parts of Cambodia.

[Merv Benson]

The communist in South Vietnam were the driving force behind the Tet offensive. However, the overall communist commander in the south was killed in a US bombing raid on the communist headquarters. Giap was brought in to take over command of the operation that he personally opposed.

Revolutionary warfare theory called for a general uprising when enemy forces had been weakened to the point that the communist could take over. The southern commanders stood this theory on its head, because they pushed for the "general uprising" because their own forces were getting weaker.

There has been a tendency to attribute more wisdom to the communist leaders than they deserved for the Tet offensive. Some of this has been by the media that really blew its coverage of the communist military disaster. Giap's judgment on the military situation was correct and the political impact in Washington was a windfall that neither he or the other communist leaders ever anticipated.

[Culpeper]

The communist in South Vietnam were the driving force behind the Tet offensive. However, the overall communist commander in the south was killed in a US bombing raid on the communist headquarters. Giap was brought in to take over command of the operation that he personally opposed.

Revolutionary warfare theory called for a general uprising when enemy forces had been weakened to the point that the communist could take over. The southern commanders stood this theory on its head, because they pushed for the "general uprising" because their own forces were getting weaker.

There has been a tendency to attribute more wisdom to the communist leaders than they deserved for the Tet offensive. Some of this has been by the media that really blew its coverage of the communist military disaster. Giap's judgment on the military situation was correct and the political impact in Washington was a windfall that neither he or the other communist leaders ever anticipated.

Which is a great example of how a free press can lose a war. Example, Walter Cronkite and his famous opinion. Free press is a shortcoming of the counter insurgent. Complete control of the press and manipulation of the opposition's free press is a powerful weapon for the insurgent.

[VinceC]

Which is a great example of how a free press can lose a war.

Free press is part of the operating environment, the same as weather, terrrain, the civilian populace, and many other factors. All of these can been manipulated by skillful practitioners. But the free press is fundamental to the United States. It is in the first amendment of the Constitution, the first entry in the Bill of Rights, without which the U.S. Constitution would not have been approved by the states. The Founders knew what they were unleashing. The Colonial press at the time of the Constitutional debates was petty, partisan and vicous. For example, we know today of Jefferson's relations with his slave mistress because of a press smear in the 1800 election.

In 1863, an editorial in the Chicago Times said Union soldiers were "indignant at the imbecility that has devoted them to slaughter for purposes with which they have no sympathy." An angry Union general closed down the newspaper. Lincoln, accused by the paper of "imbicility," ordered it reopened.

[SWJED]

31 May LA Times commentary - The Lessons of Vietnam by Henry A. Kissinger.

The Iraq war has reawakened memories of the Vietnam War, the most significant political experience of an entire American generation. But this has not produced clarity about its lessons.

Of course, history never repeats itself exactly. Vietnam and Iraq are different conflicts in different times, but there is an important similarity: A point was reached during the Vietnam War when the domestic debate became so bitter as to preclude rational discussion of hard choices. Administrations of both political parties perceived the survival of South Vietnam as a significant national interest. They were opposed by a protest movement that coalesced behind the conviction that the war reflected an amorality that had to be purged by confrontational methods. This impasse doomed the U.S. effort in Vietnam; it must not be repeated over Iraq.

This is why a brief recapitulation of the Indochina tragedy is necessary...