United States Air Force Sergeant David S Price’s remains were finally buried after over 50 years of waiting. He was stationed at a CIA base in Laos during the Vietnam War. Price and others were killed when the base was overrun in 1968. The US covered up its operations in Laos during the war, including Operation Barrel Roll, a bombing campaign that heavily targeted the country.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visited Laos, becoming the first to do so. The visit comes amid growing tensions in the Asia Pacific region, with Southeast Asian countries seeking security assurances. The legacy of Operation Barrel Roll continues to impact Laos, with unexploded bombs causing casualties and hindering development. Despite US funding for bomb clearance, it may take centuries for Laos to be free of UXO.
The Secret War in Laos has left a lasting legacy, including political implications and the rise of the ruling Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. The country’s closed-off nature and lack of accountability to the outside world are also part of this legacy. The destruction caused by Operation Barrel Roll had little strategic value and led to immense loss of life without achieving its objectives. The effects of the war, both political and humanitarian, continue to be felt in Laos today.
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