Examining The Motivations Of The U.S Arms Policy Change In Vietnam

U.S. President Barack Obama, left, and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang walk to a meeting after shaking hands at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam. Improved relations between the U.S. and Vietnam must not lead to greater pressure on China or threats to its interests, an official Chinese newspaper said Tuesday, May 24.
U.S. President Barack Obama, left, and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang walk to a meeting after shaking hands at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam. Improved relations between the U.S. and Vietnam must not lead to greater pressure on China or threats to its interests, an official Chinese newspaper said Tuesday, May 24. Carolyn Kaster, File / AP Photo
U.S. President Barack Obama, left, and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang walk to a meeting after shaking hands at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam. Improved relations between the U.S. and Vietnam must not lead to greater pressure on China or threats to its interests, an official Chinese newspaper said Tuesday, May 24.
U.S. President Barack Obama, left, and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang walk to a meeting after shaking hands at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam. Improved relations between the U.S. and Vietnam must not lead to greater pressure on China or threats to its interests, an official Chinese newspaper said Tuesday, May 24. Carolyn Kaster, File / AP Photo

Examining The Motivations Of The U.S Arms Policy Change In Vietnam

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President Barack Obama is in Vietnam this week, announcing that the U.S. will lift its 50-year old arms embargo on the country.

Many experts view the decision as part of the President’s “Pivot to Asia” policy, aimed at containing China. Obama says the move “was not based on China.” 

We examine Obama’s strategy with Alfred McCoy, professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He specialize in Southeast Asia.