Tag: lyndon johnson

A Bomber Jacket Doesn’t Cover the Blood

President Obama has taken a further plunge into the kind of war abyss that consumed predecessors named Johnson, Nixon, and Bush. On Sunday, during his first presidential trip to Afghanistan, Obama stood before thousands of American troops to proclaim the sanctity of the war effort. He played the role deftly – a commander in chief, … Continue reading “A Bomber Jacket Doesn’t Cover the Blood”

As Obama Decides on Afghanistan, JFK’s Vietnam Deliberations Worth Recalling

The pressure that has been on Barack Obama with respect to reinforcement of the war in Afghanistan resembles that placed on John F. Kennedy to send American combat troops to Vietnam during the 18 months before his assassination. Kennedy made an early decision that displeased most of his own staff as well as much of … Continue reading “As Obama Decides on Afghanistan, JFK’s Vietnam Deliberations Worth Recalling”

Apocalypse Then, Afghanistan Now

Here’s the thing: This may be our next “Vietnam moment,” but Afghanistan is no Vietnam: there are no major enemy powers like the Soviet Union and China lurking in the background; no organized enemy state with a powerful army like North Vietnam supporting the insurgents; no well organized, unified national liberation movement like the Vietcong, … Continue reading “Apocalypse Then, Afghanistan Now”

Fears of Blame for Defeat Shadow Afghan War Meetings

In a remarkable parallel with a similar turning point in the Vietnam War 44 years ago, President Barack Obama will preside over a series of meetings in the coming weeks that will determine whether the United States will proceed with an escalation of the Afghanistan War or adjust the strategy to reduce the U.S. military … Continue reading “Fears of Blame for Defeat Shadow Afghan War Meetings”