Establishing a New U.S.-Vietnam Security Relationship: Cultivating a “Middle Power” as a Strategic Partner

Abstract: Relations between the United States and Vietnam have transformed from a state of bitter adversaries to a comprehensive partnership. However, current U.S. foreign policy fails to recognize the limits to its security relationship with Vietnam: Vietnam’s defense policy leaders are overwhelmingly reluctant to engage with the U.S. in a fashion that challenges China. Vietnam’s recent foreign policy reorientation seeks to befriend and balance both superpowers, thereby creating a ceiling for security cooperation with each. The question must be answered: How can the U.S. reorient its military-to-military policy towards Vietnam to maximize the security relationship and cultivate a new strategic partner? This is best achieved through a multilateral and institutional approach that indirectly cultivates Vietnam through heavy channeling towards ASEAN participation. U.S. policy must seek to 1) bypass constraints imposed by Sino-Vietnamese relations, 2) reorient military-to-military efforts, 3) increase focus on Vietnam’s domestic development, and 4) continue to build upon economic underpinnings.