Obama : Some Vietnam - Afghanistan comparisons have merit . It is impossible to ignore the challenges America faces in Afghanistan , he said . Zelizer : In trying to separate himself from the experience of Johnson , however , Obama did not give an accurate account of what many commentators have been saying recently , and he downplayed crucial aspects of the 1960s that do in fact offer warnings for today . Obama should take lessons of Vietnam as a guide .
Obama : Some Vietnam - Afghanistan comparisons have merit . It is impossible to ignore the challenges America faces in Afghanistan , he said . Zelizer : Obama should take lessons of Vietnam as a guide .