The Toughness of the Viet Cong and Taliban Compared

To many on the ground, the Viet Cong (VC), NVA, and Taliban were all formidable adversaries. Our objective was clear: to neutralize the enemy while situational awareness and survival were paramount. Conversely, those in the political sphere often held moral views from the relative comfort of their air-conditioned environments.

Different Environments and Tactical Approaches

The enemy tactics and environments in which they operated varied significantly. The VC and the NVA, although in the same country, fought with different methods. The VC were not as heavily militarily trained as the NVA; the same applied to the Taliban. Guerrilla warfare does not necessarily imply extensive military training. Instead, it focuses on tactics that leverage the adversary's weaknesses.

From our perspective, we were officially trained to confront the tactics and environments we would face. However, it's likely the NVA had a more structured and experienced force, whereas the Taliban and VC were less so. Seasoned combatants were a rarity on each tour; we faced mostly unseasoned and newer troops each time. In contrast, the opposition remained in the war for the duration of the conflict.

Duration and Effectiveness

Protracted engagement gave the opposition a significant advantage. The VC and NVA had long periods to adapt and understand the strategies of their opponents. In contrast, the duration of each tour meant that our forces were continually facing a fresh wave of inexperienced soldiers. The NVA and Taliban, on the other hand, did not rotate frequently, allowing for their tactics to become ever more adept over time.

Guerrilla Tactics and Irrationality

While the VC and NVA can be considered rational actors in their strategy, the Taliban's religious and spiritual beliefs give them a unique and often irrational advantage. The VC and NVA were educated and disciplined in their tactics, but the Taliban's approach was heavily influenced by religious and superstitious beliefs, making their tactics unpredictable and difficult to counter.

The Taliban's tactics can be seen as a superpower of irrationality. By not following the traditional rational calculus of an enemy, they pose a formidable challenge. This unpredictability makes it exceptionally difficult for a rational actor like the US to formulate effective strategies.

Final Outcome and Legacy

None of these groups achieved much success against the US forces. The VC, NVA, and Taliban all suffered significant defeats in direct confrontations with US and allied forces. It was only after the departure of US forces that these groups began to make significant gains.

The Taliban's success in Afghanistan is perhaps the most notable. They managed to take control of the country within mere weeks after the US forces left, receiving both support and material resources. In comparison, the VC took over Vietnam in two years after the US forces withdrew. The Taliban's success points to the power of sustained guerrilla warfare in an environment where they could support and operate over an extended period without interference.

In conclusion, while each group faced significant challenges and were formidable in their own ways, the Taliban's achievements in Afghanistan highlight the effectiveness of a well-supported and long-term guerrilla strategy in an environment where they had the time to adapt and establish control.