Earlier quoted context omitted.
It wasn't a win for the US military. They spent 20 years in south Vietnam, trying to keep it independent, and ultimately failed. Their stated goal was south Vietnam independence and stopping the spread of communism. Both were failed goals. War is a continuation of politics, and here, the US lost politically (in Laos first) even if they didn't loose strategically. But let's be honest, multiple times they got their ass…
It was a win for the US military. I agree the political objective ultimately failed. My point is that political failure is not the same thing as military defeat. The US withdrew; South Vietnam was defeated two years later.
I'm pretty sure we have different definition of what a win is, but i would like to understand your point of view, genuinely.