U.S. involvement in Vietnam in the late 1950s and early 1960s began with a trickle of non-combat military personnel which developed into a flood. Now Washington intends to continue its military immersion into the Ukraine war by sending more advisors to Kyiv.
Decades ago the public hardly noticed as the Pentagon deployed such advisors to the wartorn Southeast Asian nation. This escalated to the point where boots were on the ground, and tens of thousands of troops lost their lives in the Vietnam War.
And while the justification of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War is debated to this day, there is little doubt that the vast majority of Americans do not want open war with Russia over Ukraine.
US weighs sending more military advisors to 🇺🇦 Kyiv embassy
As many as 60 additional American military advisors could deploy to Ukraine, Politico reported citing its sources. https://t.co/cnwdWQEuyq
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) April 21, 2024
Now there is another $60 billion earmarked for Kyiv’s defense and more advisors on the way. It is not difficult or a stretch to see the clear direction into which the Biden administration is heading.
The new troops are not to be in a combat role but are assigned to support Ukrainian forces. Politico reported Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder assured those concerned that the mission to the Kyiv embassy is of a peaceful nature.
He explained, “throughout this conflict, the DOD has reviewed and adjusted our presence in-country, as security conditions have evolved. Currently, we are considering sending several additional advisors to augment the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) at the Embassy.”
Ryder continued by noting that the advisors will be embedded within the U.S. Embassy and provide assistance for “advisory and support missions (non-combat).”
Anonymous government sources told Politico that the additional personnel will bring support for logistics and oversight efforts for the massive amounts of armaments the U.S. is providing. With the new aid package barreling toward approval, they will be busy.
Part of their mission will be to maintain the weapons pouring into the country from the Pentagon. Two U.S. officials told the outlet that the new additions could total as many as 60.
Under the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations, the number of non-combat military advisors started small as well. But as more time passed, their numbers swelled as U.S. involvement intensified.
Then the war became a quagmire that took years to get out of. Recent history gives a clear warning for further engagement in Ukraine.
