[HLPhat]

>>Why might Vietnam let US military return?

Because, the U.S.A. is on track for being “fundamentally transformed” into the U.S.S.A?

[CodeToad]

I hope China eats them alive!

[StoneWall Brigade]

Strategic defense ping

[headstamp 2]

$$$$

[Billthedrill]

The usual questions: what interests would the US address by a presence in CRB, and what will it cost us? The mere presence of naval units is not, ipso facto, a strategic interest if the employment of those units has not been considered. Vague generalities such as "oppose Chinese expansionism" tend to ignore that more than physical presence is required to meet such an objective.

Such a presence facilitates operations by shortening logistical lines, but what operations? I can see why it is in Vietnam's interest to pursue the matter, because any US operations at all will suffice from their point of view. From our point of view, though, cui bono?

I'm not opposed, necessarily, I'd just like to think that we're not leaving the fleet out there as war bait - a "tripwire" to use the tired Korean analogy - and nothing more.

[unixfox]

Just as soon as you pay us for the last debacle.

I’m thinking in the hundreds of billions ought to do it.

[xzins]

No way I’d put the US military back in Vietnam. It is thoroughly communist. I was there a few years back on a mission trip. Every guide we had was a party stalwart, and had been trained not answer questions about the party or were fearful of answering questions about the party.

[MeganC]

No way. The US needs to stay out of Vietnam.