Iran Should Follow Vietnam's Path from Anti-American Victory to Pro-American Prosperity
Source: Graeme Wood. "Iran Could Be America’s Next Vietnam - The Atlantic." April 11, 2026. www.theatlantic.com
The Gist
The author argues that Iran could benefit from following Vietnam's example after their war with America. Vietnam initially celebrated defeating the US but then spent decades in poverty before pragmatically partnering with America for economic growth. Iran faces even worse problems now and could skip straight to the prosperity part if its leaders choose pragmatism over ideology.
Conclusion
Iran's comparison to America's Vietnam War experience could lead to a positive outcome if Iran follows Vietnam's post-war trajectory from anti-American resistance to economic modernization and eventual partnership with the United States
Premises
- Modern Vietnam, despite defeating the US in war, has become economically prosperous and maintains a comprehensive strategic partnership with America
- Vietnam's post-war period involved initial celebration followed by decades of isolation, poverty, and eventual pragmatic turn toward the US for economic reasons
- Iran faces multiple severe crises (economic catastrophe, ecological collapse, diplomatic isolation, social unrest) that are worse than Vietnam's post-war situation
- Iran lacks the broad ideological support network that Vietnam had during the Cold War, making it more isolated than Vietnam was
- Vietnam's leaders ultimately prioritized national independence and prosperity over ideological purity, choosing pragmatism over continued resistance
- Iran has already 'won' its resistance against America and could now choose to move toward normalization and economic recovery
Assumptions
- Iran's leaders have a latent pragmatic streak similar to Vietnam's leadership
- Economic necessity will eventually override ideological commitments in Iran
- The Iranian people would benefit from and support normalization with the US
- Iran's current isolation and economic problems are unsustainable long-term
- Revolutionary Shiite Islamism is a means rather than an end for Iran's leadership