Triple Cross- Diem survives

During the 1963 coup, Nhu managed to put together a counter-coup within a few hours. However one general, whose name escapes me, went back to the plotters, sealing their fate. WI he didn't and Diem survives? Since he has the nationalist creds that Thieu-Ky lacked, acknowledged by Ho himself, he can hardly be called an "imperialist lackey" or what have you. How does this affect the war? Since he's 62 in 1963, presumably he retires by 1970. Who'll replace him? Effects on US politics, SVN?
 
Purple Scarf Going up up up

Marshall Ky his own self.
I think there might have best less disaffection, because there probably wouldn''t have been as much of a buildup. If Diem has sense.
I know he wasn't democratic by our standards, he would have made chieu hoi work, turn vc then turn them loose.
Sort of an Iranian style white revolution
 
Agreed on Diem's indispensability, as Karnow pointed out, as did Ho. But the effects on US politics would be amazing. There would be no antiwar movement if Diem focuses on COIN, but I'm unsure whether Nixon would run in '68. Then we would see (assuming JFK assn'd and GS unfolds as per OTL) RFK vs. Nixon in 1972. Take your pick.
 
Top