Episode 24: Communicating War: Lessons from Vietnam

This episode of Strategy Matters examines whether American media coverage shaped the trajectory of US involvement in Vietnam. Host Vanya Eftimova Bellinger sits down with historians Dr. Nicholas Evan Sarantakes and Dr. Cavender Sutton to take up the question. Their conversation shows that, despite how it was later remembered, the Saigon Press Corps was largely supportive of the war. The hostility between the military and the press emerged afterward, growing out of the search for someone to blame once South Vietnam fell. Reporters could not overlook the difficulties US forces faced, and the problem was compounded by political and military leaders who failed to articulate a clear and realistic strategy. Turning to the challenges of fighting a war with limited objectives, the host and her guests consider why communication and home front preparedness need to be rethought before entering such a conflict.

The opinions expressed on this podcast represent the views of the presenters and do not reflect the official position of the Department of War, The US Navy, or US Naval War College.

GUESTS:

Dr. Nicholas Evan Sarantakes is a Professor at the Strategy and Policy Department and earned a B.A. from the University of Texas, an M.A. from the University of Kentucky, and a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, all in history. He is an award-winning author with multiple publications. His most recent book, The Battle of Manila: Poisoned Victory in the Pacific War (2025), is a groundbreaking account of this crucial campaign from the American, Japanese, and, significantly, Filipino perspectives.

Dr. Cavender Sutton is currently an assistant professor at the US Air War College, but previously served as a Postdoctoral Teaching and Research Fellow in the Strategy and Policy Department (2024-2025). He received his B.A. in History from the University of Georgia, his M.A. in History from East Tennessee State University, and his PhD in Military History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before his academic career, Dr. Sutton served four years in the United States Marine Corps, during which he deployed to Afghanistan twice. His forthcoming book is The Road to Hue: US Marine Combined Action Platoons and the Battle that Changed the Vietnam War.