Shaun Mullen has a post at The Moderate Voice comparing the situation in Iraq with that during the Viet Nam War. Like Shaun I think there are similarities and dissimilarities but I don’t entirely agree with him on just what those are.
For example, Viet Nam of itself had little importance: the real significance lay in Viet Nam as a proxy for the Soviet Union and China. I think that Iraq has considerably more strategic signficance of itself than Viet Nam ever had.
For me the most important similarity between Iraq and Viet Nam has been the presidential political bungling. LBJ and now GWB both attempted to win a war without engaging the American people in that war—trying to wage war without domestic impact or, presumably, political risk as a result. I believe both failed.
Take a look at Shaun’s post and make up your own mind.
LBJ and now GWB both attempted to win a war without engaging the American people in that war… I believe both have failed. Unfortunately, you’re right. The personal styles differ: LBJ was a control freak, GWB is a disengaged delegator. But the results have been the same because a lack of engagement. Also, LBJ and GWB were inflexible in their approach, in contrast to successful presidents at war.