Iraq: Learning the Lessons of Vietnam
Melvin R. Laird
From Foreign Affairs, November/December 2005
"Summary: During Richard Nixon's first term, when I served as secretary of defense, we withdrew most U.S. forces from Vietnam while building up the South's ability to defend itself. The result was a success -- until Congress snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by cutting off funding for our ally in 1975. Washington should follow a similar strategy now, but this time finish the job properly."
"MELVIN R. LAIRD was Secretary of Defense from 1969 to 1973, Counselor to the President for Domestic Affairs from 1973 to 1974, and a member of the House of Representatives from 1952 to 1969. He currently serves as Senior Counselor for National and International Affairs at the Reader's Digest Association."
This great article posted in the recent edition of Foreign Affairs can be read here:
http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20051...ird/iraq-learning-the-lessons-of-vietnam.html
Its about 8 pages long but is a very informative article by the Secretary Of Defense who presided over the Vietnamization of the war in Vietnam which was a success until the United States completely abandon the effort. The article does indeed provide some lessons for the current conflict in Iraq.
Melvin R. Laird
From Foreign Affairs, November/December 2005
"Summary: During Richard Nixon's first term, when I served as secretary of defense, we withdrew most U.S. forces from Vietnam while building up the South's ability to defend itself. The result was a success -- until Congress snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by cutting off funding for our ally in 1975. Washington should follow a similar strategy now, but this time finish the job properly."
"MELVIN R. LAIRD was Secretary of Defense from 1969 to 1973, Counselor to the President for Domestic Affairs from 1973 to 1974, and a member of the House of Representatives from 1952 to 1969. He currently serves as Senior Counselor for National and International Affairs at the Reader's Digest Association."
This great article posted in the recent edition of Foreign Affairs can be read here:
http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20051...ird/iraq-learning-the-lessons-of-vietnam.html
Its about 8 pages long but is a very informative article by the Secretary Of Defense who presided over the Vietnamization of the war in Vietnam which was a success until the United States completely abandon the effort. The article does indeed provide some lessons for the current conflict in Iraq.