Psychiatry and the ‘Lessons of Vietnam’: What Were They, and Are They Still Relevant?

The phrase familiar in political and military circles, 'learning the lessons of Vietnanl', usually refers to recent Anlerican reluctance to engage forces in a longternl counter insurgency war with little prospect of success.] Despite this, and the firm conviction of several previous administrations that they have learned these lessons, the current situation in Iraq has led to increasing speculation about the prospects of another Vietna111, the in1plication being that these lessons, whatever they 111aybe, require relearning.