178. The Vietnam War: Nixon, Vietnamisation, and the Fall of Saigon

In this episode of "Empire," Anita Anand and William Dalrymple are joined by Fredrik Logevall to discuss Nixon's approach to the Vietnam War. The conversation explores Nixon and Kissinger's private doubts about the war, the strategy of Vietnamisation, and the "Madman Theory." They delve into Nixon's diplomatic efforts, including the opening to China and the Moscow Summit, alongside the continued bombing campaigns. The discussion also covers the Paris Peace Accords, the fall of Saigon, and the legacy of the war, including its impact on American foreign policy, the Vietnamese victims, and the artistic and cultural reflections it inspired.