to the 1967 rematch known as the Six Day War. This war ended
with Israel gaining control over more territories, including the Gaza
Strip, the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the
Golan Heights.x The outcomes of these wars have set the stage for many of the
developments and political crises of the past several decades.
Tensions and resentments among Israel, the Palestinians, and
various Arab states still constantly threaten to break out into a new
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deserves a place on the list of decisive battles.Dien Bien Phu (1954)
x After World War II, France’s rule in its old colonial territory of
Indochina was challenged by communist Viet Minh insurgents
under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh. By the early 1950s, with the
Viet Minh receiving support from communist China, the French
were struggling to maintain control.
x The French commanders came up with a plan to establish a strong
point deep in northeastern Vietnam, which they hoped would disrupt
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a pitched battle, where the technologically superior French troops
could destroy them. The site chosen for the French forward base
was Dien Bien Phu.x The Viet Minh responded by moving in 50,000 troops and
considerable artillery under the able command of General Vo
Nguyen Giap. The result was a seven-week siege, during which
the outnumbered French paratroopers were under constant
bombardment from hidden Viet Minh artillery and had to fend off
numerous attacks by waves of infantry. After a desperate defense,
they were at last overcome.x The defeat at Dien Bien Phu was crushing for the French, both
materially and psychologically. Within a few months, the French