American foreign policy after World War II had been based on the goal of containing Communism and the assumptions of the so-called "domino theory”—that if one country fell to Communism, the surrounding countries would fall, like dominoes. The Eisenhower administration was concerned that if Vietnam fell under Communist control, other Southeast Asian and Pacific nations, including even the Philippines, would fall one by one. In response to that threat, the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was formed in 1955 to prevent Communist expansion.
President Eisenhower sent some 700 military personnel as well military and economic aid to the government of South Vietnam. This effort was foundering when John F. Kennedy became president. In May 1961, JFK authorized sending an additional 500 Special Forces troops and military advisors to assist the pro-Western government of South Vietnam.
By the end of 1962, there were approximately 11,000 military advisors in South Vietnam; that year, 53 US military personnel had been killed. The president would soon send additional military advisors to support the South Vietnamese Army. By the end of 1963, the numbers had risen to 16,000.
Good reference into the psychopathic and neocon mindset that strangely and ultimately realised the disaster and unintended consequences that a foreign war can bring but for which real politik prevents resolution because of the economic and political capital investments made and where initial and subsequent positions become tank traps and berms against any exit strategy.
https://historyireland.com/that-bitch-of-a-war-lyndon-b-johnson-and-vietnam/
Will Trump see the writing on the wall before he realises he has his “Trumps War” and tens of thousands have to die for it.
An intended initial repeat of the last 12 days war, has morphed in what Trump is saying will now be 4 to 5 weeks. Will this then become 4 to 5 months with the usual optimism of a win by latest Christmas 2026?
