Nixon's Ruthless Strategy

President Nixon prioritized military strategy over humanitarian concerns during the war in Indochina, especially regarding the bombing campaigns that caused significant civilian casualties in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Nixon dismissed his advisor Henry Kissinger's apprehensions about the political ramifications of these excessive bombing runs in the lead-up to the 1972 elections, highlighting a glaring indifference to civilian suffering. This focused approach was evident in Operation Menu, a secret bombing campaign aimed at dismantling Viet Cong sanctuaries. Ultimately, this selection of military over moral considerations defined Nixon's Doctrine, contributing to a broader understanding of U.S. foreign policy at the time.