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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsUS to sell nuclear fuel to Viet Nam, permit enrichment
There was a time when Vietnam was America's staunchest proxy war foe. This is not those times which explains why yesterday the president signed a landmark, controversial and not to mention hypocritical deal with Vietnam in which allows the U.S. to sell nuclear fuel and technology to its former foe, which will then be allowed to further enrich it. Why (because there is always a reason when the US does something so unexpected, and especially when nuclear power is involved)? Simple: as the Hill explains, the US "aims to help guarantee Vietnams' energy independence as China asserts a more prominent role in the region." Of course, the last time the US sought to prevent Vietnam's affiliation with a foreign superpower, the results were quite disastrous. One can only hope this time it's different.
Some more on why Vietnam is not Iran:
I have determined that the performance of the Agreement will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defense and security, Obama wrote in a memo for the secretaries of State and Energy.
And here is hypocrisy 101: "the deal aims to get Vietnam to import the fuel it needs for its reactors instead of producing it domestically. But it doesn't bar the country from conducting its own uranium enrichment, raising concerns about nuclear proliferation."
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http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-25/us-sell-nuclear-fuel-former-foe-vietnam-will-permit-uranium-enrichment
gordianot
(15,249 posts)It seems the Vietnamese WANTED United States occupation of Vietnam to get rid of the French. Vietnam does not trust China and thoroughly turned back their invasion of Vietnam.
Irony to the Geopolitical extreme.
Nuclear Unicorn
(19,497 posts)I think this underscores the short-sightedness of the Viet Nam war. Had we supported the people we could have avoided the war and help guide the development of a more democratic society; not to mention what it cost us.