East/West Relations: A Case Study of Similar Military Patterns and Outcomes Resulting from US Involvement in Vietnam and Soviet Intervention in Afghanistan

Leroy A. Binns^*

Department of Government, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.

DOI: 10.4236/jss.2015.310026                

Abstract

Wars have been portrayed by the oligarchy to be the mode by which successful political restructuring is achieved and peace is attained. An illustration such as World War II with its aftermath— the reconstruction of Europe and the resemblance of tranquility during the Cold War era, is commonly cited by advocates as a testament to that perception. Yet it is the predetermination of this commentary to counter such contention by way of an analysis of highly contentious revelations associated with the Vietnam and Afghan wars that unequivocally debunk such interpretation, define superpower limitations with regard to transformation and resolve and re-emphasize the vibrancy of nationalism. The ultimate outcome, the unification of Vietnam and the independence of Afghanistan questions, the role of conflict resolution strategies exercised by dominant nation states in the 20th century and beyond.

Keywords

Vietnam and Afghanistan Wars, US and Soviet Foreign Policy, Political Ideologies and Constraints

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

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