Vietnam was "just" a lost war, but beyond a hurt ego, America did not suffer strategical detoriations from it. It was hurting the ego, but it was not hurting to the naional interest. It was a tactical defeat, but not really a strategical defeat.
The Vietnamese never thought globally, concerning their ambitions. After the American retreat, they became a little bit mad, started a little megalomania in their region, and kept on playing until the Chinese showed them beyond doubt where their place is.
All this is very different with Iraq, and Afghanistan as well.
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