The comments to this article by so-called “readers” of the NYT are instructive. They are so “70’s!” It’s as if every argumen,t or discussion even, can be won merely by saying “remember Vietnam.”
We should remember the lessons of Vietnam, of course,and apply knowledge gained to new situations. But there is certainly debate about what those lessons are. One important lesson came after the last US troops left . . . don’t abandon your friends and allies and leave them without the military hardware to fight back. Another lesson was that a Pol Pot is ready to kill millions of reasonable and defenseless people if you turn your head for an instant.
Alas, military options are not ever easy nor do they by themselves result in pleasing political outcomes. But sometimes strong military actions are THE key component of policy.
IMHO
Oldplayer
BTTT.
We won't need Agent Orange in the Desert.