This is all one of the reasons why the government in Vietnam and the US have been doing better with relationship since the 90's. They realize that without a big friend, even though we have a not so pleasant history with each other, is handy when the 800 pound gorilla in their area bellows and stomps about.
Yes its amazing how friendships can develop when there's a much bigger percieved "evil"
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I often wonder how the post war years would have gone for Germany and Japan if there wasn't the Soviet threat.