| ID | 102957 |
| Title Proper | Ambassador David Bruce and LBJ's war |
| Other Title Information | Vietnam viewed from London, 1963-1968 |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Young, John W |
| Publication | 2011. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Recent decades have seen growing historical interest in "second rank" officials who, whilst they do not play a leading role in government or political movements, can influence the way decisions are shaped and executed. At the same time, the interest of scholars in American policy during the Vietnam War shows no signs of abating. This article investigates the experience of one second rank official during the war, David Bruce, who was Ambassador to London during 1961-1969. Making particular use of Bruce's extensive diaries, it traces his shifting views on the war, looks at the extent to which he shared the outlook of other official,s and asks what influence, if any, he had on events. It argues that, whilst he always remained loyal to his own government and often mirrored the outlook of the Johnson Administration, Bruce had his own perspective on events, was consistently critical of American tactics on the ground, and, in Spring 1967, influenced by Robert McNamara, became an early advocate of retrenchment. |
| `In' analytical Note | Diplomacy and Statecraft Vol. 22, No. 1; Mar 2011: p81-100 |
| Journal Source | Diplomacy and Statecraft Vol. 22, No. 1; Mar 2011: p81-100 |
| Key Words | David Bruce ; LBJ War ; Vietnam ; London ; Vietnam War |