Reply #8: Not repeating every mistake: Iraq leads Vietnam in dead journalists [View All]

[despairing optimist]

and embedded ones. Back then reporters could go on their own a little more easily. Saigon was more secure than Baghdad, at least until the final pullout, and I think US bases weren't as vulnerable to attack, but others more knowledgeable will correct me if I'm wrong about that.

Iraq and Afghanistan are in worse shape than Vietnam was, especially this early in the occupation process. That's why I think the characterization "Vietnam on steroids" or on fast track is pretty apt. Also, the Powell Doctrine (any US military intervention must have clear goals and an exit strategy) was developed after Vietnam precisely to avoid situations like Iraq and Afghanistan, and even the doctrine's author--a key player in the * administration--neglected to apply it here. Things are definitely far worse now than they were then.