Can the Vietnamese military, which decades ago defeated the French, the Americans, and the Chinese, move away from its tradition of "people's war" to adapt to both the realities of modern warfare and the emergence of new threats? As he addresses this question, Zachary Abuza delves into the inner workings of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and its efforts to develop its military capabilities. He also explores the role of the VPA in Vietnamese society, in the region, and in the global arena.
Zachary Abuza is professor of national security strategy at the National War College and adjunct professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service.
"Abuza has produced a master class on Vietnam's military, offering important insights into the considerations that are shaping the role and readiness of the Vietnamese army." —Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs
"One of the most comprehensive English-language studies on Vietnam's armed forces to date.... The analysis is indispensable to scholars of Vietnamese and Southeast Asian security, as well as for policymakers seeking to understand the VPA's evolving role in domestic politics and regional strategy.” —Nguyen The Phuong, Contemporary Southeast Asia
"Abuza casts a bright light on a pivotal aspect of Vietnam's future trajectory … and its important implications for the region and the world. —Prashanth Parameswaran, Wilson Center
