Vietnam taught America the limits of its power. Hormuz is teaching it again

The events in Vietnam and the recent tensions over the Strait of Hormuz highlight the limitations of American military power. In 1973, after the fall of Saigon, the United States faced a challenge in creating a stable political order in Vietnam despite its superior technology and manpower. This experience led to the War Powers Resolution and the Nixon Doctrine, which aimed to limit executive war-making and shift responsibility to regional allies.

In 1991, the Gulf War demonstrated the challenges of using overwhelming military force to achieve political outcomes. Despite the massive aerial bombardment and naval blockade, the United States struggled to restore normal oil passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The US military dominated the skies and eliminated key leaders, but it failed to compel Iran to accept its terms.

Just as in Vietnam, the American political establishment believed it had overcome the lessons of the Vietnam War and was confident in its military prowess. However, the current situation in Hormuz suggests that Washington is once again learning the hard way that military force alone cannot secure political objectives in a determined adversary.