US Faces Same Dilemma in Middle East Conflict as Lyndon B. Johnson Did in Vietnam
U.S. President Donald Trump faces a similar dilemma as his predecessor Lyndon B. Johnson, who got caught in a prolonged and costly war in Vietnam.
The aerial bombing campaign against North Vietnam, 'Operation Rolling Thunder,' failed to pressure the North Vietnamese leadership into peace talks.
Johnson authorized the deployment of 3,500 U.S. combat troops on the ground in South Vietnam, but by the end of 1965, nearly 200,000 U.S. troops were committed in-country.
Senior security sources in Washington and London have told OilPrice.com that Trump's 'Operation Epic Fury' aerial bombing campaign against Iran won't lead to capitulation from Tehran.
Tehran sees any military defeat as a victory, leaving Trump with extremely limited options.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which up to 30% of the globe's oil is shipped, has become a major problem for Trump.
Global shipping firms see the Strait as a lethal gamble, and meaningful workarounds are at least two years away.
In response to U.S. attacks, Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have announced a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabian ports and ships using the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
This has cut off around 10% of global seaborne-traded oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz and another 12% through the Bab el-Mandeb.