Laos was part of French-controlled Indochina for decades. The United States entered the Vietnam War, in 1961. Shortly thereafter, a secret war was fought in Laos. The CIA was responsible for a covert operation against Pathet Lao communists.
The mission of CIA in Laos consisted of fighting the communist threat to the country. However, the agency also recruited tens upon thousands of Hmong fighters. It was a guerrilla war, but one with a humanitarian component. A special force was trained in southern Laos and was called the Special Guerrilla Unit. These units were used against North Vietnamese soldiers. After the Vietnam War, these units were defeated and the United States retreated from Laos.
The first secret war in CIA history was in Laos. Its budget was equivalent today to $3 billion, and the number CIA contractors in the country grew by 2000% during the decade.
Thousands of pro American Laos were executed or forced to go to prison camps. Others were escorted into the jungle with guards. Some families were completely destroyed. Those who survived were left to live at night in caves or on farms.
Sometimes, the CIA managed battle strategies, but it was mostly left up to the locals. Many villages were destroyed and thousands of civilians were killed by the CIA's aerial attacks.
Throughout the "Secret War", tens of thousands of Lao patriots were killed. The United States pulled out of South Vietnam after the war and Laos was no longer supported financially by the United States. The CIA was unable operate as before.
The CIA created a clandestine Hmong army as a result. This was to circumvent the Geneva Accords ban on direct military support. Many Laos thought the Communists were trying take over the nation. But they resisted.
During wartime, the CIA created "Lima Sites," ports of entry in the country, to help Hmong troops move and get supplies. LS-36, one of the most important Lima Sites, was also one. Another notable site was LS-20A.
The CIA eventually decided to evacuate Laos following the war. After the Paris Peace Treaty ended the Vietnam War and the United States stopped providing military and financial support to Laos. Ultimately, the CIA's operation in Laos was a success. The CIA was able to stop Laos communism's spread.
The Secret War in Laos involved a complex and messy process. While the CIA's efforts in fighting the communist threat were successful, it was a disaster for the United States' relations with the Lao government.
Although the US-led Secret War in Laos is over, its legacy still causes havoc. Hundreds of UXOs still litter the country's countryside. Khamvongsa lobbied the US to resolve this problem. He is now writing a book about this war, which focuses primarily on the key figures in the Laos conflict.
FAQ
What is the most secretive place in the world, and why?
You might be surprised at the answer. You might be uncomfortable with the truth of it, as it may challenge your perception of reality. But there is an explanation for why this place exists, and it's not what you would expect.
It was called the City of God by ancient Greeks. It was also known as the City of Destruction according to the Bible.
It is also called Kashi in India (Kashmir). It's also known as Novgorod in Russia.
It is known as The Town That Disappeared in America.
One tiny town in western New York State lost its 1,200 inhabitants without trace. With the exception of a road marker pointing to its former site, there were no remains: cars, bodies, houses.
This little town disappeared, leaving no clues about where it went or when. Some believe the earth swallowed them up. Others claim that a meteorite hit destroyed it. Still, others say aliens took it away.
The people of this once-thriving community, however, are positive that the town won't disappear forever. They had just moved from one town to the other.
There is even a website dedicated to tracking the disappearance of the lost city of Zugspitz.
So, where exactly did this town go? It's in Switzerland, actually!
Zugspitze lies on the border between Austria and Germany. Lake Zugspitze can be found just beyond the summit.
I have always been fascinated by the fact that so many towns have vanished, but some remain. Why does some vanish while others remain? I decided that I would investigate.
I wanted more information about the mysterious disappearing of towns. What causes a community to disappear? How does one place go extinct?
There are many theories to explain the phenomenon of disappearing towns. One theory suggests that a community disappears when all of its buildings are removed. Another theory holds that the town simply relocates to another location. Another theory suggests that the town has never existed.
Although theories may be a bit speculative, it is a fact that numerous towns have been destroyed by the elements. This video examines the history and current status of these places.
What is the most intriguing fact about the human anatomy?
Two eyes, two ears, 2 nostrils, 4 limbs, 1 nose, 1 penis and one mouth are all there. That's right, we have more than 50 parts of our bodies, but one thing is missing. A heart.
A heart is the pump that circulates blood throughout a body. Blood travels through the arteries and veins, carrying oxygen and nutrients to the cells and removing carbon dioxide and waste products.
The heart pumps out approximately 5 liters of blood per minute. This is equivalent of an adult drinking 2 to 3 cups of coffee each day.
Blood flows through the heart 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Your heart beats nearly 100 times a minute while sleeping.
Because of the color and texture of their skin, you can tell if someone is healthy or sick. The capillaries are tiny blood vessels that can be seen on the skin's surface. These small vessels carry blood from the large blood vessel in the skin back towards the heart. The skin turns blue or violet when blood flow becomes blocked.
Red blood cells are not available to sickle cell patients. Their blood becomes very sticky and hardened, leading to serious illness.
If you cut yourself, a bandage is applied to stop the bleeding. Blood must flow in order for the wound to heal properly. Doctors will insert a needle under the skin to access the vein near the injury. This allows blood to drain from the area.
Doctors may also insert catheters (catheters), in an artery to treat a blood clot. This helps to keep the patient alive until the blood clot disintegrates naturally.
What is the most mysterious place on earth?
Antarctica is home to the most mysterious and remote place on Earth.
We find this place so fascinating. Because it's unlike any other place in the world.
It is difficult to access because it is remote and extremely isolated. But there is more to this site than meets the eye.
These wild animals are also found in this natural wonder.
Let's see how this incredible destination became famous for its mystery.
Antarctica: The South Pole
Antarctica is not known by anyone. Some believe it means "land of ice." Some believe it means "land of ice". Others believe it is Greek mythology.
Antarktis was an ancient Greek name that was given to the island where Zeus and his twin brothers, Zeus. According to legend, one of the twins was born in winter. Therefore, the name antarctic.
Others think the name came from the Greek words anti, meaning against, and tropos meaning turn. This would translate to land that is turned away from the sun.
Whatever the reason Antarctica holds a special fascination, people have always loved it.
It is the coldest, windiest, driest and highest continent. It is too cold to support trees, plants, and animals.
Yet, life is abundant in this frozen wilderness.
Here are about 90% of all the living creatures on Earth. Here are approximately 50% of all the animal and plant species in the world.
What is it that makes Antarctica so unique? Here, water freezes into ice instead of evaporating into the air.
This creates large masses of ice that float above the ground.
These floating glaciers cover 80% of the continent. They continue to grow in size each year.
Since 1960, the Antarctic ice sheets has grown 60ft.
If the melting continues, sea level could rise up to 200ft. This could lead worldwide flooding.
However, not all scientists believe this to be bad news. Global warming may be beneficial for some scientists. They claim that the melting of ice sheets could accelerate as temperatures rise. This would lead to flooding that removes tons of toxic chemicals and soil from our bodies.
However, others caution that this theory sounds a lot like a plot in a science fiction movie.
What are 5 interesting facts about the liver?
The liver is responsible both for breaking down toxins as well as storing vitamins, minerals. It helps maintain a steady body temperature and regulates blood pressure.
We hear it all the time: "I feel sluggish today" or "my head feels heavy". These symptoms could indicate problems with your liver.
Itching, dark urine and yellowing skin are all common symptoms. These aren’t the only warning signs. These are not the only warning signs. Make an appointment immediately with your doctor if they occur.
The liver is a vital organ. It is vital for detoxification, metabolism, immunity, reproduction, and digestion.
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The average adult liver weights about 1,400g.
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At birth, a baby's liver is half the size of an adult. It can grow to four times the size of an infant's liver by the age 3.
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The liver is located just below the rib cage on the left side of the abdomen.
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There are 16 major liver lobes. However there are many smaller, more intimate lobules.
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The liver contains about 10 million individual red blood cells.
Statistics
- In fact, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, you make 15 to 30 gallons of tears each year, which is insane when you think about it. (romper.com)
- A 2012 paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported that people blink about 15 to 20 times each minute, meaning, if you do the math, you spend about 10% of the time that you're awake blinking. (romper.com)
- In fact, nearly 24% of U.S. women are affected with one or more pelvic floor disorders, according to research funded by the National Institutes of Health. (romper.com)
- In one 2014 study published in the Archives of Medical Science that sought to study the prevalence of these mites, research showed that 41% of the people had them hanging out in their eyelashes. (romper.com)
- You spend about 10% of your time awake blinking (romper.com)
External Links
How To
Hollywood Actors With Dark Past
Many of us have heard about actors with dark pasts. We may never be able to find out for certain because we cannot go back in time and speak directly with them. It's possible to find out more about these actors' lives by not digging too deeply.
Internet is a fantastic tool for finding information regarding famous people. You can learn fascinating facts and read about the lives of famous people.
For example, let's say you're curious about Samuel L. Jackson's childhood. If you type his name into Google, you'll probably come across a website called "SamuelLJacksonChildhood." This website includes pictures of him as a young man, articles about how he was raised, and even a biography.
Although this information may sound dull, it could help to make a better connection with Samuel L. Jackson. It is possible that you will be shocked to find out that Jackson grew in a tough neighborhood and was successful after overcoming all odds.
You might feel motivated to overcome your obstacles or learn that Samuel L. Jackson plans on making a movie based upon his life. Either way, personal experiences can help you connect more deeply with Samuel L. Jackson.
This website is one of many online. You can use them to learn more information about the lives and times of famous people. You may be surprised at what you uncover.