Accession Number:

ADA096426

Title:

A Study of Strategic Lessons Learned in Vietnam. Volume III. US Foreign Policy and Vietnam 1945-1975

Descriptive Note:

Final rept

Corporate Author:

BDM CORP MCLEAN VA

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

1980-02-15

Pagination or Media Count:

340.0

Abstract:

The chapters of Volume III develop a number of key insights and lessons relating to the formulation of US policy toward Vietnam during the years 1945-1975. These insights underscore both the general context and the specific nature of US policy making--the global environment in which Vietnam policy was formulated, the historical precedents which influenced subsequent US foreign policy and particularly Southeast Asian policies, and the US policy-making process. The insights are specific, focusing on such issues as US perceptions of its global role, US perceptions of external powers, both friendly and unfriendly, consistencies and contradictions in US foreign policies, the influence of historical precedents on US policy makers, and the advantages and liabilities inherent in specific approaches to policy making. In contrast, the lessons derived in this volume are general, concentrating on the broader issues and themes discussed in the volume which are relevant to a discussion of US foreign policy during the 1945-1975 period and to present day policy considerations.

Descriptors:

• *FOREIGN POLICY
• *UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
• *VIETNAM
• *LIMITED WARFARE
• DEVELOPING NATIONS
• GLOBAL
• MILITARY ASSISTANCE
• DECISION MAKING
• LEADERSHIP
• STRATEGIC ANALYSIS
• THREATS
• HISTORY
• PERCEPTION(PSYCHOLOGY)
• BALANCE OF POWER
• DOCTRINE
• COMMUNISTS
• NORTH VIETNAM
• SOUTH VIETNAM

Subject Categories:

• Humanities and History
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE