Discussion Questions

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Discussion Questions

Vietnamization and President Nixon

The Vietnam war was fought between 1964 till 1975 on the basis that South Vietnam with bordering areas of Cambodia, Laos with North Vietnam. In Vietnam, this war was named as the American War. It was during the time of President Nixon that disengagement from the war started by the United States. The main aim was to gradually increase South Vietnamese Army so that they are able to fight the war on their own. This policy was known as the Nixon's doctrine and there was withdrawal of U.S troops from Vietnam. However, the air strikes continued and more American soldiers continued to die. Further, it was during Nixon's time that Lt. William Calley, a leader of a platoon held a large massacre of Vietnamese civilians.

Many were appalled by the slaughter and he was later pardoned by Nixon. In 1970, further troops were sent to Cambodia to destroy sanctuaries of the enemies in South Vietnam. Further, in 1972, elections were around the corner and President Nixon wanted to bring an end by claiming Peace achieved in Vietnam. Although, the president had promised military aid to South Vietnam after a peace agreement was settled, however, Congress did not approve of it. Further, Nixon also tried to save his political life due to increase in the pressure of Watergate scandal. The Nixon doctrine and Vietnamization was the end of U.S involvement in Vietnam. Many believed that the Congress and the President invented this fiscal cliff in order to persuade voters to accept the budget measures. Also, it was also a face saving movement for the President and let him walk away from a proposal that was not received with pleasure.

References

History.searchbeat.com (1964). Vietnam War Resource Links and History Guide .. The History Beat. [online] Retrieved from: http://history.searchbeat.com/vietnamwar/vietnamwar.htm [Accessed: 13 Feb 2013].

"Saving face" helpful and productive as a strategy for moving along diplomatic negotiations

The long-term conflicts usually involve issues that cannot be negotiated. There are moral differences, high stakes involved and conflicts about who will dominate leads to an ever ending conflict. Some issues become non-negotiable as either of the party involved does not want to compromise on the fundamental values. During the cold war, there were many disputes that were settled permanently, like the U.S-Vietnam war. Although, it was serious and long the conflict was solved and thus, proven that even resolution-resistant conflicts can be transformed and resolved. In some cultures there is greater emphasis on 'saving face' where a negotiator may not agree on an outcome that makes him ashamed or embarrassed. The issue does not lie in the agreement but the way it is framed and negotiator will appear in the community. This is particularly important in the Eastern cultures where the negotiating partner never uses the word no or reject the proposal directly, however, that also does not mean that the counterpart agrees with the negotiation agreement. A negotiator of the U.S should try to tread with the issues that his counterpart ...