The article begins by highlighting Johnson's remarkable domestic achievements, including the 'Great Society' initiative, showcasing his skill in navigating Washington politics.
However, the article pivots to Johnson's foreign policy, particularly the disastrous Vietnam War. While some argue the war's outcome had unforeseen positive geopolitical consequences, the author dismisses this view. The article explores the perspectives of historians and former administration officials, showing a range of opinions on the war's impact.
The article examines Johnson's reliance on President Kennedy's foreign policy team after Kennedy's assassination. While Johnson could have appointed his own team, he chose continuity, potentially due to his own insecurities in foreign policy and a desire for stability.
The piece delves into Johnson's perceived lack of an overarching foreign policy strategy, especially regarding Vietnam. The authors highlight his inability to fully grasp the priorities and perceptions of other nations, leading to miscalculations in regions like South Asia. The article emphasizes a lack of strategic guidance within the administration, resulting in conflicting actions and a failure to adapt.
The Vietnam War is presented as the central factor in evaluating Johnson's foreign policy, overshadowing successes in other areas. The war's negative consequences – domestic inflation, social unrest, and a heavy human toll – are detailed. The article questions whether a different approach, perhaps heeding dissenters, could have averted the disaster.
The author touches on the contributions of prior administrations, specifically Kennedy's expansion of the war in Vietnam and Truman's rhetoric which set the stage for extensive US intervention abroad.
Ultimately, the article concludes that Johnson's failure to adapt his thinking and policies, coupled with his entrenchment in the Vietnam War, led to a missed opportunity for domestic focus and created a significant foreign policy misstep.