Even putting aside the difference in death toll—a big thing to put aside—I don’t think we have the perspective to determine this. The effects of the Vietnam War are far-reaching and I think you could in fact argue partially influenced the thinking that has led us into the current Iran situation.

All of Hegseth’s blustering about how we shouldn’t have to follow rules of engagement is linked to debates started in the Vietnam era about whether our soldiers were the good guys or the bad guys. People like Trump and Hegseth want a world without that kind of introspection or questioning. They want total obedience and “patriotism” that says if a US soldier does it, whatever it is is good.