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ADL Colin · 07-04-2004, 12:55 PM

Trying to draw an analogy between Vietnam and Iraq and is about as misguided as the analogy Bush made between Iraq and World War II.

Each side feels justified in its attempt and believe they are scoring points for their political view. Vietnam as a template for Iraq? Sure, they are both called "wars" and there are insurgents. There are many more differences than similarities though.

One started as a slow build up of troops and increased the number of combat troops in response to a growing insurgency which only increased the casualty rate. The other started with a powerful strike into the capital of a country occupying it within 21 days, overthrowing the government as was its goal and captured the head of that government bringing him to trial in just 15 months.

Vietnam was fought against a country being supplied by two regional superpowers. Fear of the war escalating and involving those two powers and a possible nuclear war handicapped the performce of the US military. There is no such fear in Iraq. The capital is occupied, the Baathists are out of power and the Iraqi security forces are being reformed.

Growing unrest during Vietnam led millions of people to take the street protesting the action and keeping pressure on the administration. In this war the protestors marched before the war and haven't been seen much since.

Sadr's militia and the like are NOT the equivalent of the VC - neither in terms of organization nor in ability. Nor is Sadr a Ho Chi Minh.

Most importantly there was never an exit plan for Vietnam. There is a planned and published timeline for Iraq to reach full sovereignty that is on schedule.

What should be most obvious is the scale of the two conflicts. Less than 1000 dead is not the equivalent of nearly 60,000 dead. There is little evidence that the current conflict will escalate. In fact, the intended political outcome continues to move in the planned for direction.

There have been many wars with insurgents. Why is Vietnam a better analogy than, say, the Phillipines during the Spanish American War? What story is one hoping to tell by the Vietnamization of Iraq?

Oh, yeah .. and "It's NOT in the jungle, baby".

07-04-2004, 12:55 PM
ADL Colin Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Tube Titans, USA Posts: 11,929	Trying to draw an analogy between Vietnam and Iraq and is about as misguided as the analogy Bush made between Iraq and World War II. Each side feels justified in its attempt and believe they are scoring points for their political view. Vietnam as a template for Iraq? Sure, they are both called "wars" and there are insurgents. There are many more differences than similarities though. One started as a slow build up of troops and increased the number of combat troops in response to a growing insurgency which only increased the casualty rate. The other started with a powerful strike into the capital of a country occupying it within 21 days, overthrowing the government as was its goal and captured the head of that government bringing him to trial in just 15 months. Vietnam was fought against a country being supplied by two regional superpowers. Fear of the war escalating and involving those two powers and a possible nuclear war handicapped the performce of the US military. There is no such fear in Iraq. The capital is occupied, the Baathists are out of power and the Iraqi security forces are being reformed. Growing unrest during Vietnam led millions of people to take the street protesting the action and keeping pressure on the administration. In this war the protestors marched before the war and haven't been seen much since. Sadr's militia and the like are NOT the equivalent of the VC - neither in terms of organization nor in ability. Nor is Sadr a Ho Chi Minh. Most importantly there was never an exit plan for Vietnam. There is a planned and published timeline for Iraq to reach full sovereignty that is on schedule. What should be most obvious is the scale of the two conflicts. Less than 1000 dead is not the equivalent of nearly 60,000 dead. There is little evidence that the current conflict will escalate. In fact, the intended political outcome continues to move in the planned for direction. There have been many wars with insurgents. Why is Vietnam a better analogy than, say, the Phillipines during the Spanish American War? What story is one hoping to tell by the Vietnamization of Iraq? Oh, yeah .. and "It's NOT in the jungle, baby". __________________ Adult Date Link - $50 PPS starting NOW! -- good and JUICY! skype = "adultdatelink" Last edited by ADL Colin; 07-04-2004 at 12:57 PM..