The Vietnam War, military struggle fought in Vietnam from 1959 to 1975, involving the North Vietnamese and the National Liberation Front (NLF) in conflict with United States forces and the South Vietnamese army. From 1946 until 1954, the Vietnamese had struggled for their independence from France during the First Indochina War. At the end of this war, the country was temporarily divided into North and South Vietnam. North Vietnam came under the control of the Vietnamese Communists who had opposed France and who aimed for a unified Vietnam under Communist rule. The South was controlled by Vietnamese who had collaborated with the French.


The United States became involved in Vietnam because it believed that if all of the country fell under a Communist government, Communism would ------ throughout Southeast Asia and beyond. This belief was known as the "domino theory." The U.S. government, therefore, supported the South Vietnamese government. This government's repressive policies led to rebellion in the South, and the NLF was formed as an opposition group with close ties to North Vietnam.


In 1965 the United States sent in troops to prevent the South Vietnamese government from collapsing. Ultimately, however, the United States failed to achieve its goal, and in 1975 Vietnam was reunified under Communist control; in 1976 it officially became the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. During the conflict, approximately 3 to 4 million Vietnamese on both sides were killed, in addition to another 1.5 to 2 million Lao and Cambodians who were drawn into the war. More than 58,000 Americans lost their lives.

Based on reports and news from rights organisations, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of executions and stonings. Nearly two hundred executions and twenty-two stonings have been 'reported' in the last year. Under these circumstances, European governments have nonetheless decided to further and more officially support the Islamic regime of Iran.

In addition, the Qu'ran and the Hadith, unlike the Bible and other holy books of other religions, provides the followers of true Islam with specific legal rules, social and even military codes of conduct that must be followed to remain a pious Muslim. Failing to follow the rules will result in severe punishments as we see in some Islamic ruled Middle Eastern Countries, from stonings to beheadings, all of which are perfectly acceptable under the tenants of "true Islam." These practices have been in existence since the time of Mohammed and continue today in various Muslim countries.

The official number is 58,148 killed during service. An additional 114
were captured and died in captivity.

In the 5 years following the war, the suicide rate of veterans was 1.7
times the non-Veteran population, yielding an estimate of 9,000
suicides as a direct result of the war. After 5 years, suicide rates
fall back in line with the general population.