The hottest Vietnam War Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

Small wars

Vague Blue • 339 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Vietnam War
  1. Photographer An-My Lê captured a series of black-and-white photos of a Vietnam War reenactment, revealing a complex exploration of war and its representation.
  2. Lê's work explores the layers of simulacra, offering insights on the physical manifestation of virtual representations like hand-embroidered scenes from pornographic material.
  3. The staged nature of the reenactment blurs the lines between reality and simulation, prompting viewers to question the authenticity and implications of the images.

MY LAI, AND ITS OMENS

Seymour Hersh • 58 implied HN points • 26 Dec 25
💾 History Vietnam War
  1. US soldiers in 1968 killed large numbers of Vietnamese civilians at My Lai and nearby hamlets, and very few people were held accountable for those massacres.
  2. A Pentagon Inspector General study in 1967 found that many troops didn’t understand the Geneva Conventions and some admitted they would mistreat or kill prisoners; that report was rewritten or shelved and not acted on.
  3. The failure to train, enforce, and respond to those warnings helped create conditions for atrocities and cover-ups, highlighting a need for stronger training and accountability in wartime.

Photo of the Day

Photo of the Day • 255 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
💾 History Vietnam War
  1. Bill Perkins's passion for filmmaking led him to become a Marine combat photographer during the Vietnam War.
  2. Bill Perkins's bravery and sacrifice in Vietnam earned him the Medal of Honor, making him the first combat photographer to receive this honor.
  3. The enduring impact of war is highlighted by the stories of Bill Perkins and Robert Capa, showcasing the price of freedom and the personal toll of conflicts like the Vietnam War.

Happy Birthday Martin

Life in the 21st Century • 255 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Vietnam War
  1. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had valuable teachings beyond being a saint.
  2. Stokely Carmichael's stories offer insights into his relationship with King and the Civil Rights Movement.
  3. King's Vietnam speech, often overshadowed, holds profound messages about American life and policy.

Photo of the Day

Photo of the Day • 216 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💾 History Vietnam War
  1. The chaos of America's departure from Vietnam led to a period of doubt about the country's commitment to principle.
  2. Personal emotions influenced critical decision-making during the evacuation of Saigon, leading to a catastrophe.
  3. The episode of the Vietnam War denigrated the service of Americans who had served there and had lasting implications.
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Memorial Day: Of Time and Tommy

Bastiat's Window • 275 implied HN points • 27 May 23
🎭️ Culture Vietnam War
  1. Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor those who sacrificed their lives for their country.
  2. Personal acts of kindness and generosity can have a lasting impact on others, even if it may seem small at the time.
  3. Music and art can be powerful ways to memorialize and honor those who have served and sacrificed in wars.

The Pain We Choose

The Radar • 79 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Vietnam War
  1. War is a choice we make, not something that happens to us. It's about facing the consequences of our decisions.
  2. The way war decisions are made in the US needs a serious reevaluation. There's a lack of proper debate and oversight, leading to damaging choices.
  3. The American society has become entrenched in a cycle of perpetual conflict. To change this, we must confront the impact of war and start asking the tough questions to prevent making harmful decisions.

Vietnam in the Middle East

In My Tribe • 683 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Vietnam War
  1. In Vietnam War, US officials complained about fighting with restrictions on bombing.
  2. Endemic violence in the Arab Middle East leads to lack of 'solutions' and need for strong state institutions.
  3. Proposed options for dealing with Iran, unpacking the idea of going big or going home.

THE SCENE OF THE CRIME

Seymour Hersh • 54 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
💾 History Vietnam War
  1. The My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War involved the brutal killing of civilians, including women and children, by American soldiers who believed they were following orders. This horrific event revealed the dark side of war and highlighted how soldiers could become desensitized to violence.
  2. Many veterans left Vietnam with deep psychological scars and guilt, questioning their actions and the morality of the war. Some, like Paul Meadlo, openly expressed remorse for their involvement in the killings.
  3. The aftermath of My Lai not only fueled anti-war sentiment in the U.S. but also led to a greater awareness of the need for accountability in military actions. It served as a reminder of the atrocities committed during war and the importance of protecting civilians.

How the New Deal Order fell

America in Crisis • 39 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Vietnam War
  1. Elite acceptance of the New Deal paradigm started to break down during the 1960s, leading to significant policy shifts that impacted economic stability and inflation.
  2. The decline in US gold reserves and the failure to address fiscal deficits were key signals of the breakdown of the New Deal Order, highlighting the challenges in managing the economy.
  3. Policy decisions around taxation, military spending, and social programs during the era reshaped economic cultures and paved the way for the transition from the New Deal to the Neoliberal Order.

THE HIPPIE LIEUTENANT

Seymour Hersh • 65 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
💾 History Vietnam War
  1. The post discusses a soldier's experience in the Vietnam War.
  2. The author shared a previous dispatch about General Tony Taguba and Abu Ghraib prison.
  3. Readers can access the full post archives with a 7-day free trial subscription.

YOU CAN’T TALK TO A PRESIDENT THAT WAY!

Seymour Hersh • 53 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Vietnam War
  1. President John F. Kennedy's legacy was overshadowed by his support for the war in South Vietnam.
  2. The Vietnam War saw devastation with millions of tons of bombs dropped, escalating under President Lyndon Johnson.
  3. Kennedy's diplomatic success with Khrushchev during the Cuban Missile Crisis was overshadowed by subsequent decisions made by Johnson during the Vietnam War.

THE BOOK I NEVER GAVE DAN ELLSBERG

Seymour Hersh • 40 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
📚 Literature Vietnam War
  1. Dan Ellsberg dedicated his life to working for peace and wrote about the dangers of nuclear weapons.
  2. Dan Ellsberg and Seymour Hersh bonded over their shared condemnation of the Vietnam War and its impacts.
  3. The two friends rarely discussed novels or memoirs about the war, focusing instead on the realities of the conflict.

5 Good Evergreen Podcasts

SatPost by Trung Phan • 31 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🎙 Podcasts Vietnam War
  1. There are 5 evergreen podcasts recommended, covering topics like food history, famous explorers, record labels, Vietnam War films, and interesting sounds.
  2. Gastropod podcast delves into food history, while The Explorers Podcast focuses on famous explorers' stories.
  3. Trapital podcast offers insightful business breakdowns of record labels, providing an in-depth analysis of the hip-hop industry.

Thiếu tá Buang, vợ và 5 con

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 19 implied HN points • 05 Sep 12
💾 History Vietnam War
  1. The famous photo of a helicopter being pushed off a ship during the Vietnam War was part of a large-scale evacuation operation called Operation Frequent Wind.
  2. The pilot of a small Cessna plane, Thiếu tá Buang, his wife, and five children were safely rescued by the USS Midway during the chaotic evacuation.
  3. The crew of the USS Midway had to push helicopters off the flight deck into the sea to make room for Buang's Cessna to land, resulting in nearly $10 million worth of helicopters being discarded.

Rumors of War & Technowar (Part 01)

Homo Ludens • 0 implied HN points • 02 Jan 22
💾 History Vietnam War
  1. The American war in Vietnam prompted the nation to question its government, leaders, and motives, showcasing the stain it left on the American psyche.
  2. Technowars like the one in Vietnam tested the limits of military power, demonstrating that even with advanced technology, victory is not guaranteed.
  3. Robert Strange McNamara's involvement in the technowar in Vietnam highlighted the flawed strategic concepts and reliance on quantitative analysis that led the U.S. into a costly and devastating conflict.

SR-71 Blackbirds Over Vietnam

Military Aviation Videos • 0 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
💾 History Vietnam War
  1. The SR-71 Blackbird was an advanced reconnaissance aircraft that was practically untouchable due to its high speed and altitude.
  2. Blackbird missions over Vietnam provided valuable intelligence by capturing photos of enemy missile activity and tracking North Vietnamese movements.
  3. Despite facing dangers like being tracked by surface-to-air missiles, the SR-71 Blackbird played a crucial role in various operations during the Vietnam War.