Vice President Nixon the following year: he was even prepared to use atomic weapons to shore up the French position in Indochina.63 The United States cannot afford to preclude itself from using nuclear weapons even in a local situation
In the context of the early Cold War, Vice President Nixon expressed a willingness to utilize atomic weapons to strengthen France's military presence in Indochina. This highlights the prevailing mindset in the U.S. government, where nuclear capabilities were deemed essential even in localized conflicts.
Niall Ferguson's biography of Henry Kissinger illustrates the broader strategy of the United States during this period, emphasizing the importance of keeping all options open, including nuclear...
