Melvin R. Laird

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MundoOriente Próximo

In a recent column on this page discussing lessons of Vietnam as they pertain to the war in Iraq, Henry Kissinger noted that the fall of South Vietnam was precipitated by a cutoff of U.S. aid that came at a time when "not a single American soldier had been in combat for two years." Said Kissinger: "The imperatives of domestic debate took precedence over geopolitical necessities." Meanwhile, even as U.S. aid was ended, the Soviet Union continued to supply North Vietnam.

This was not what was planned after the Paris Peace Accords of 1973. The plan was for continuing U.S. logistical support and keeping the American commitment until North and South Vietnam could reach a peace accord of their own.…  Seguir leyendo »

MundoAmérica

Robert M. Gates, President Bush’s nominee to succeed Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, will appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee tomorrow for his confirmation hearing. We asked six defense and foreign-policy experts to tell us what questions the senators should ask.

1) The Next Attack

By William S. Cohen, the secretary of defense from 1997 to 2001.

1. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the Pentagon is underfinancing its procurement program by $53 billion to $121 billion each year for the next several years. What will be your priorities to address this shortfall?

2. Do you agree that our NATO allies other than Britain should be contributing more forces, equipment and training to help secure success in Iraq and Afghanistan?…  Seguir leyendo »