Murrett Speaks to LA Times About the Differences Between Vietnam and Afghanistan Wars

September 14, 2022

Los Angeles Times

Robert B. Murrett

Public Administration & International Affairs Department

Syracuse University Institute for Security Policy & Law

Afghanistan

Conflict

International Affairs

Southeast Asia

United States

Los Angeles Times

Robert B. Murrett

Vietnam and Afghanistan were America's two longest wars. Yet despite a number of similarities, including mistakes made and disastrous denouements that spelled defeat for the U.S., each conflict had entirely different impacts on U.S. society, culture and politics.

"The sheer size and scale of the U.S. military deployment, the number of casualties and the backing of the enemy in Vietnam, were greater than anything we ever saw in Afghanistan," says retired Vice Adm. Robert Murrett, professor of practice of public administration and international affairs. "Vietnam was very much on (policymakers') minds" to this day, he says.

Read more in the Los Angeles Times article, "Vietnam and Afghanistan — America's 2 longest wars, with very different lasting impacts."