17. USA Meddling

Amidst mounting discontent and Diem’s inability to quell the Viet Cong insurgency, U.S. officials explored replacing him with a more capable leader. In 1963, the CIA engaged sympathetic South Vietnamese generals to oust Diem. On November 2nd, they executed Diem and his brother Nhu, aiming to dismantle the Ngo regime.

However, the clandestine operation lacked communication with President Kennedy, leading to confusion in Washington. This move, instead of stabilizing South Vietnam, bolstered North Vietnam’s narrative of American interference in them installing a puppet, rallying local support for reunification under communism.