LETTER: Lessons for Putin on the power of nationalism
Defeat in the Vietnam War taught McNamara about the lengths people will go to fighting for their country
17 March 2022 - 18:16
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Civilians train to fight Russia forces, in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, March 11 2022. PIcture: ALEXEY FURMAN/BLOOMBERG
“We underestimated the power of nationalism to motivate a people [in this case, the North Vietnamese and Vietcong] to fight and die for their beliefs and values — and we continue to do so today in many parts of the world.”
These powerful words were uttered by Robert S McNamara, former US secretary of defence under presidents John F Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson.
In his must-read book — especially by political leaders — on lessons from the Vietnam War, In Restrospect, Tragedy and Lessons in Vietnam, McNamara wrote: “We do not have the God-given right to shape every nation in our own image or as we choose.”
Vladimir Putin, are you listening? Because “wars generate their own momentum and follow the law of unanticipated consequences”.
Dr Lucas Ntyintyane, Via email
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Send us an email with your comments to letters@businesslive.co.za. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Writers should include a daytime telephone number.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
LETTER: Lessons for Putin on the power of nationalism
Defeat in the Vietnam War taught McNamara about the lengths people will go to fighting for their country
“We underestimated the power of nationalism to motivate a people [in this case, the North Vietnamese and Vietcong] to fight and die for their beliefs and values — and we continue to do so today in many parts of the world.”
These powerful words were uttered by Robert S McNamara, former US secretary of defence under presidents John F Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson.
In his must-read book — especially by political leaders — on lessons from the Vietnam War, In Restrospect, Tragedy and Lessons in Vietnam, McNamara wrote: “We do not have the God-given right to shape every nation in our own image or as we choose.”
Vladimir Putin, are you listening? Because “wars generate their own momentum and follow the law of unanticipated consequences”.
Dr Lucas Ntyintyane, Via email
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Send us an email with your comments to letters@businesslive.co.za. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Writers should include a daytime telephone number.
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