Parallels Between Vietnam and Iraq: Lessons and Pitfalls

Strategic Insights -

As the United States prepares for elections in Iraq, parallels between the American involvement in Vietnam and the ongoing war in Iraq are being drawn by military experts, historians, and politicians. The Johnson administration's goal of holding national elections in South Vietnam in 1967 was seen as a way to confer political legitimacy and credibility on a government that Iraqis themselves would be willing and able to fight to defend. Similarly, the Bush administration aims to create a free, democratic Iraq, an ally in the war on terror, with an Iraqi army able to defend itself.

However, the difficulties of achieving such objectives, then and now, have led many to consider the parallels between Vietnam and Iraq to warn of potential pitfalls ahead. Senator Edward M. Kennedy noted that there would be "costs to staying and costs to leaving" Iraq, but that at least 12,000 American troops should leave immediately to signal the United States has a clear exit strategy. This echoes the famous advice given to Lyndon B. Johnson by Senator George Aiken to declare victory in Vietnam, then leave.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Johnson administration's goal of holding national elections in South Vietnam in 1967 was seen as a way to confer political legitimacy and credibility on a government that Iraqis themselves would be willing and able to fight to defend.
  • The Bush administration aims to create a free, democratic Iraq, an ally in the war on terror, with an Iraqi army able to defend itself.
  • Senator Edward M. Kennedy warned that there would be "costs to staying and costs to leaving" Iraq, but that at least 12,000 American troops should leave immediately to signal the United States has a clear exit strategy.
  • The famous advice given to Lyndon B. Johnson by Senator George Aiken to declare victory in Vietnam, then leave, is being applied to Iraq.
  • The US involvement in Vietnam began with more public support and greater agreement among the military, government, media, and academia that fighting communism in Southeast Asia was a worthy goal.
  • The Bush administration has been intent on limiting the number of American troops in Iraq, unlike the Johnson administration's escalation of American involvement in Vietnam.
  • The US has the option to increase training for Iraqi troops and stepped-up diplomacy and burden-sharing to achieve a viable exit strategy.
  • The potential pitfalls of staying in Iraq for too long and creating new enemies are being addressed.
  • The parallels between Vietnam and Iraq, including the lack of an achievable political goal and the difficulty of creating a stable government, are being discussed by military experts and historians.

Statistics:

  • Overwhelming public concern that the Bush administration has no clear plan for getting out of Iraq (80% in recent polls).
  • Deep skepticism that elections in Iraq will reduce the violence (70% in recent polls).
  • At least 12,000 American troops are recommended to leave Iraq immediately to signal a clear exit strategy.
  • The US has been involved in Iraq for nearly two years, with over 30,000 troops on the ground.
  • The number of American troops in Iraq has been limited by the Bush administration, unlike the Johnson administration's escalation of American involvement in Vietnam.
  • The US has spent over $300 billion on the war in Iraq, with costs continuing to rise.

Sources:

  • Senator Edward M. Kennedy, speech in Washington, D.C. (Thursday)
  • Professor Jeffrey Record, Air Force's Air War College in Alabama
  • Stanley Karnow, journalist and author, "Vietnam: A History"
  • Anthony Lake, Georgetown University professor and former National Security Adviser
  • Michael Rubin, scholar at the American Enterprise Institute
  • Senator Chuck Hagel, Nebraska Republican and Vietnam veteran
  • Professor Max Boot, Council on Foreign Relations senior fellow
  • Lyndon B. Johnson, meeting with South Vietnamese generals on Guam (late August 1967)
  • George W. Bush, interview with The New York Times (this week)
  • George Aiken, Senator and advisor to Lyndon B. Johnson
  • J. William Fulbright, Senator and chairman of the foreign relations committee
  • Henry A. Kissinger, former Secretary of State
  • John D. Negroponte, US Ambassador to Iraq and former special assistant to Henry A. Kissinger