Kissinger on Vietnam and Iraq

An interesting article on the lessons of Vietnam, in essence Vietnam was lost at home and Military Strategy can not be based on political aims that have no reality in the real world, thus no early exit from Iraq, a political strategy is needed for the future of Iraq that can gain support in Iraq and the region, but can also gain support in the United States from Republicans and Democrats. The problem is looking at Iraq through the window of Vietnam, they share some of the same problems. Both countries at the time where seen as important to American Security, the difference that on the whole leaving Vietnam was in some respects a public relationship problem that feed in to the real politic views of other countries when it came to the United States. In other words the failure of the USA in Vietnam feed in to the view that the USA was weak thus the USSR could take action in Afghanistan in 1979. The reality is cold hard terms the Vietnam was a mistake and it hurt the USA but unlike Afghanistan invasion by the USSR it did not bring down the USA. It can be argued that the invasion of the Afghanistan by the USSR helped in the downfall of the USSR. If the American left had its way the USA would be out of Iraq, but unlike Vietnam this would not solve any problems it would create more troubling times for the United States, terrorists would have a base in Iraq and they money, lets not forget about the money. It could be postulated that the terrorists could get their hands on nuclear techonology and then they could use it to attack the West. Also and this has to be stressed we might need Iraq to attack Iran, lets not beat about the bush here, if Iraq cant or wont give up its nuclear military development then the West, e.g USA and the UK will have to take military action to remove the problem. It can be argued that President George W. Bush will not want to leave office with a nuclear armed Iran. If Israel is not take action then the USA and UK will have to take action, this action would only take place when all diplomatic moves have not worked or any covert action cant not do the job, Vientam was a disaster but a failed Iraq would make Vientam look like amature hour after a few drinks, a failed Iraq under the power of terrorest leader like UBL could cause massive destruction and death in the International Community. Thus it is important to understand the lessons of Vietnam but it is very important to understand that Vietnam is the past and the past sometimes is better left alone, because past mistakes can lead to future mistakes and in the present security environment the world can not afford a real effects of a failed WAR TO FAR.