that the remaining countries in SE Asia would fall like a row of dominoes if we didn't stop Communism in Vietnam
And what happened? Cambodia fell, Laos fell, while Thailand fought for its life and survived only with massive US military aid.
And since the Chinese were the principal supporters of Pol Pot, they were essentially able to confront the Soviet backed Vietnamese and assert their own influence in the region. That "schism" between the interests of the Soviets and Maoists is also significant in why they were unable to muster sufficient influence to topple Thailand's government.
Then, as the US found itself mired in an unwinnable war, the Hawkmoons of the time claimed that we couldn't leave because it would hurt the image of the US abroad.
There is no such thing as an "unwinnable war" Carl. Someone's going to win it.
But whether our side wins it comes down to if we're able to muster the WILL to win it. Do we understand the necessity of our fight sufficiently to sustain the war and see it through to a victory.
But first, we have to define what constitutes a victory? And what defines victory will vary from person to person, obviously.
For me? Victory is being able to keep Islamic militancy from gaining sufficient momentum over the next 10-20 years until the population growth of the Middle East has decreased to an economically and socially sustainable level.
But of course, as we've seen in western societies, restraining population growth entails providing economic opportunity. Our own population growth rates are typically UNDER "replacement" levels necessary to maintain the current demographic percentages.
But at the same time, the local government in Vietnam was corrupt and not supported by a large enough fraction of the public.
Hello Carl??!!!! Since when does a corruption stop a viable government from existing? Are you claiming that the Communist government in Vietnam was not JUST AS CORRUPT?
The difference is that in Hanoi, the communists were able to coerce their population to fight in the south (while Soviet and Chinese support subsidized their local economies). In the south, the people had different expectations.. And with the presence of US forces, some of them had the sense that the war was "far away" and that they were safe so long as the US was there. But they found out differently after 1968 when we started withdrawing.
Sure S. Vietnam's government was corrupt. Our own government, to a certain extent, is guilty of corruption (waste, fraud, and abuse). But in the south they still had to maintain a facade of fairness, while in the north, people didn't DARE speak out against the communists.
This is a battle for hearts and minds. The administrations actions have increased the danger for us all.
Actually, I absolutely agree, and disagree with you.. This IS a battle for hearts and minds Carl. But the danger has been in NOT getting involved and thinking we can just "contain" the situation to the point where it doesn't hit us at home.
But 9/11 changed that. Changed it permanently because we now know that Islamic fundamentalism is being fueled by DEMOGRAPHICS, not the US. And these people can hit us in a manner that hurts us.. to the tune of trillions of dollars in economic damage.
We've woken up now (at least those who choose to understand). And we know that we have no choice but to be a part of the solution, even if initially its constitutes a military role, establishing a sign of strength.
You need to understand the Islamic mindset for many muslims (the undereducated ones, for the most part). When the US prepared to invade Iraq, many Arabs believed that the US would be defeated because Allah was on their side. They believed the same thing in Afghanistan, because Allah surely would not let his "slaves" down since he had commanded them to carry out this Jihad.
The "will of Allah" is fundamentally a part of the Islamic mind. And now the defeat of Saddam is registering in as "the will of Allah"...
For us to show weakness and divorce ourselves from what is transpiring in the Middle East, is to essentially tell muslims the world over, the US retreat is the "will of Allah". The US is weak and therefore, the West is weak... Allah is calling for you to join "Jihad" against the Infidels.
Showing weakness now, after being grievously attacked, would be the WORST thing we could do. But showing our strength must in a manner and place that creates the greatest degree of change in the balance of power in the region. And that's what the destruction of Saddam's regime has accomplished.
Hawk |
