Analysis: The nightmare of Vietnam

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Wednesday's attack in Iraq

In Vietnam the United States went deeper and deeper into the mud. The idea repeated once and again was that the withdrawal would take place once communists were defeated. But communists were not defeated, and the United States sent more and more troops, the number of mortal victims increased and the situation was worse every day.

Furthermore, that caused a deep internal division within the United States. Eventually, Americans had to withdraw after destroying Vietnam, with 60,000 troops dead and failing in their aim: three years after the Americans pulled out, communists controlled all of Vietnam.

Now, in Iraq, the situation is similar: all those security plans announced by Bush fail, one by one. Within the United States, more and more citizens request the withdrawal, including the House of Representatives, but Bush insists that the mission must be fulfilled.

The only difference with Vietnam is that the number of troops dead is still bearable for Americans. Those who are dying in their hundreds are Iraqi civilians, while a few American soldiers die every die.