US Objectives in Vietnam: An Analysis of Current and Ultimate Goals

摘要

This paper examines US objectives in Vietnam with a view to determining whether they are realistic and attainable, and whether actions being taken to achieve them are leading to their successful and timely accomplishment. In order to set the stage for a meaningful analysis, it was necessary to gain some understanding of the country, its people and history. In addition, it was necessary to ascertain how the United States became involved and the nature, basis, and extent of the US commitment. The major conclusion of this paper is that the objectives are realistic and attainable, and that actions being taken to achieve them appear to be leading to their successful accomplishment. But, it will probably be a long and costly effort, unless we are willing to remove our self-imposed constraints and use our military power to make the price of continued aggression by North Vietnam much steeper than the price they are now paying. Only when the price to be paid exceeds the benefits to be gained will aggression cease.