U.S. Military Spending Dwarfs China's

[RanchHand]

And the reason for the politics back home was because of the confusion. It was supposed to be a war of liberation, which obviously implies collaboration with the locals, hearts and minds campaigns, etc.

It should have been said from the start that the war was not about the locals, but fiighting for US interests. That way, people would have known from the start that heavy military force would be accepted. The misison needs to be clearly defined.

Look at WWII. It was clear and simple... defeat the Nazis. For a military operation, that's how simple the mission must be. None of this liberation half military half diplomatic stuff. it must be made clear that you're going to destroy something.

"fiighting for US interests"
And what would they be? I'm shooting from memory but I think the major selling point was the 'domino theory' and the need to stop communiism during the cold war that was still in effect.
"collaboration with the locals, hearts and minds campaigns, etc."
There was all that. Some worked, some didn't. Much of the US Army (and even some Marines) in Vietnam was comprised of draftees. That in inself is enough for a lot to have not worked. The difference between now and then is the difference between living on earth and living on another planet. That's how different things are today.

 

[L Gilbert]

Communism won't work any better than capitalism because of the simple fact that humans are involved. Man exploits man regardless of philosophies and beliefs.

 

[ironsides]

ok forget about VietNam. What good is high tech crap in Afghanistan. You will agree that there are skirmishes in Afghanistan still going on, won't you?

High tech in Afghanistan is great when you know where and when to use it. Yes of course skirmishes are still going on the ground. It is these boots on the ground that are the highest tech weapon of all. Forget for a moment that the 'Predator - pilotless aircraft" can fire a missile with pinpoint accuracy, it is also a fantastic silent observation platform. More importantly it saves our lives.

 

[L Gilbert]

Perhaps, but all that high tech gear won't win the war.