Storella Breaks Down Differences Between Vietnam & Afghanistan Withdrawals
Ambassador Mark C. Storella, Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, published an op-ed in BU Today contrasting the fall of Saigon and Kabul ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris’ upcoming visit to Vietnam on August 24, 2021.
In his op-ed, titled “POV: Kabul Is Not Saigon,” Storella notes the striking differences between the Vietnam and Afghan wars in terms of strategic interests, human investment, domestic political impact, and refugees. While it may seem easy to draw parallels between the fall of Kabul and the fall of Saigon 46 years ago, Storella argues that the two situations are greatly disparate. The Vietnam and Afghan wars and the US’ ultimate withdrawal both damaged America’s prestige – to very different degrees in two different international environment – but Storella notes that the biggest priority for the US is communicate its strategic international focus moving forward.
An excerpt:
When Vice President Harris visits Vietnam, comparisons between the fall of Saigon and the fall of Kabul will be inevitable. But our friends and allies—and our competitors—will not be focused on how badly the United States damaged itself in Afghanistan. They will look for signals that the United States is now prepared to focus on its most important strategic interests and do so in a concerted and competent way.
The full article can be read on BU Today‘s website.
Ambassador Mark C. Storella was a United States Foreign Service Officer for over three decades serving as Ambassador to Zambia, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration, and Dean of the Leadership and Management School of the Foreign Service Institute. Storella is recipient of the Presidential Rank Award, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Excellence in Service Award, the Thomas Jefferson Award presented by American Citizens Abroad, and several Department of State superior and meritorious honor awards. Learn more about Ambassador Storella on his faculty profile.