Foreign American Policy from Vietnam to Iraq
Professor James J. Brask DePaul University
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High School: Thornridge High School, 1967 Thornton Community College, 1967-1969 Drafted August 1969 U.S. Army, Republic of Vietnam, January 1970 Cambodia Invasion, May-June 1970 Wounded, Tan Linh, South Vietnam, July 1970 Hospital (Vietnam, Japan, U.S.): July 1970March 1971 l Illinois State University, student, August 1971June 1973
AO Third Platoon, D Company, Fifth Battalion, 12 th Infantry, 199th Light Infantry Brigade, March 1970
Outside Binh Loc Hamlet, March 1970
Lessons Of Vietnam War
l The 1984 Weinberger Doctrine: Guidelines for the Future
Use of American Military Force
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1. Intervene only for vital national interests 2. Secure support of the public for any intervention 3. Commit sufficient forces for purpose of winning 4. Establish clear political and military objectives 5. Intervene as a last resort (Powell = Doctrine Weinberger Doctrine + exit strategy
Additional Lessons
l Seek to control media interpretation of battlefield
and war related information l Aggressively argue that domestic opposition to U.S. military or political actions is evidence that opponents do not support U.S. troops in the field and give aid and comfort to the enemy l To the extent possible, minimize political interference with military decision making l Avoid committing U.S. military into low intensity conflict (i.e. Insurgency) environments l Establish volunteer army and do away w...