National Security Affairs of Vietnam.

¶ … national security affairs of Vietnam. The writer examines Vietnam's major and minor adversaries and discusses the national purpose of Vietnam and how that interest creates international conflict or affects international relations. The writer also uncovers the source of power for Vietnam and summarizes any threat that Vietnam is currently facing. There were four sources used for this paper.

Since the Vietnam conflict ended in 1975, America has watched the nation work to rebuild itself and develop its identity apart from being the nation that was at war with itself for more than a dozen years. In the past three decades strides have been made to build the nation of Vietnam economically, developmentally and diplomatically so that it can be self sufficient and also present a measure of security for itself. For one to understand the strength of the nation one must be able to identify certain elements of its growth and current existence.

MAJOR ADVERSARY true measure of the strength and fortitude of a nation is often its ability to survive and thrive in the face of adversary threat. Vietnam, while a small nation has one of the largest, and most powerful nations on earth as its major adversary.

China has not been a supporter of Vietnam since before the conflict began, but during the conflict and following the conflict it became even less enamored with the nation.

Today, communist Vietnam seems relatively inconsequential to the United States. What significance can a moderate-sized Southeast Asian country of 77 million experimenting with free-market economics and ruled by a seemingly anachronistic and repressive Leninist party-state have for the United States (Scobell, 2003)?"

It is interesting to note the size difference between the two nations as Vietnam's total size equals one of the small providences of China, yet Vietnam has managed to make its mark on the world and continue to develop itself in spite of living in the angry eye and shadow of one of the most dangerous nations on the globe.

The smaller nation has managed to maintain its distance and has worked for many decades at not antagonizing the nation of China.

Vietnam is circumspect where China is concerned and, hence, extremely cautious in improving ties with the United States. Certainly Hanoi has been hesitant to host senior U.S. officials, especially defense figures (Scobell, 2003)."

While this has raised red flags to those who wish to improve the Vietnamese-China relations Beijing has shown a clear and constant interest in this relationship as well.

China has concerns about the increasing trade relationships with the U.S. And Vietnam also and keeps a watchful eye on any future military friendship or alliance that may come from this beginning.

MINOR ADVERSARY

While it has always been evident that China is the major adversary faced by Vietnam, the nation also has a minor adversary in Bangladesh (Heitzman, 1991).

Bangladesh has enjoyed good relations with the other small nations of South Asia -- Nepal, hutan, Sri Lanka, and Maldives-- and those of Southeast Asia, except for Vietnam. Bangladesh has made strenuous efforts to extend cooperation with these nations through the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Heitzman, 1991)."

NATIONAL PURPOSE

The national purpose of Vietnam is three fold. The first purpose that the nation has is to rebuild its highways, roads, bridges, trade industry and agricultural abilities that were destroyed during the conflict. This has been a steady goal of the nation since the 1970's.

The second purpose of Vietnam is to develop strong relations with the United States. The United States has recently become the number one trading partner with Vietnam. The exports and imports of the nations currently total $4 billion annually with growth on the horizon. The continued friendship between the United States and Vietnam is important as a national purpose for Vietnam as it continues to avoid China's watchful eye and wrath.

As long as Vietnam and the United States remain friendly and continue to build relations Vietnam will feel more comfortable if a face off with China ever occurs. With the U.S. As an ally it is probable that China will think twice before making any move in the direction of Vietnam (Heitzman, 1991).

The strength of the trade industry, the need for the United States to stand by as a "big brother" as Vietnam rebuilds under China's nose and the American traditions and ideas that are filtering into the nation all bring purpose to that country.

The third purpose of Vietnam is to avoid China's attention. While it continues to build and grow it becomes more valuable. This is a positive thing for Vietnam however, it also draws more attention from China.

IDEOLOGIES

There are many ideologies within the nation of Vietnam. With the relatively new constitution and the trade industry growing as quickly as it is there are several that stand out.

The constitution of the nation provide benchmarks for the ideals of the nation. One of the first ideals that the people of Vietnam strive to live by is the right to enjoy life and pursue happiness without harming others. It is something that has been strongly developed and supported since the end of the conflict in which each side of the nation tried to force and impose its ideal on the other side (Vietnam. (http://news.vnanet.vn/vietnamlaw/Service.asp?CATEGORY_ID=7&SUBCATEGORY_ID=12&NEWS_ID=317).

Today the ideology of Vietnam embraces and empowers the people to live their lives as they see fit as long as they do not bring harm to others.

For the purpose of protecting residents from being contractually manipulated the ideals of the nation provide the ability to nullify any contract that exploits another party.

One of the most modern ideals the nation currently enjoys is the civil rights of its women. Married women have freedom that they did not have in the past and children who grow up are no longer bound to their parents against their will. Once they reach the age of majority they are free to marry, move out and keep their own money.

NATIONAL THREAT

The largest national threat currently facing Vietnam is China. While China has not made moves to create trouble for Vietnam it has kept an inappropriately watchful eye on the relations between America and Vietnam.

Experts believe this has to do with China's possible future desire to take over Vietnam and if the U.S. is an ally of the small nation China will not have an easy time of the task.