Synthesized answer
The passages do not explicitly list "unanswered questions" from the book *Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945*. Instead, they present specific historical questions that remain unresolved, primarily about U.S. policy in Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh's intentions. For example, the U.S. could have asked whether it had to support France in Southeast Asia to secure a non-communist France in Europe, or whether Ho Chi Minh should have been automatically excluded if the choice was between French colonialism and him [1]. Another question is whether France had any real chance of succeeding in Vietnam, and at what cost [1].
Additionally, there is "irresolvable doubt" about Ho Chi Minh's earlier preference for neutralism or a Western affiliation, as no reputable Westerner is known to have interviewed him face to face after an abortive French attempt in 1947 [4]. The passages also note that Ho admitted there were "many unsavory elements" in the Cochinchina resistance, but it remains unclear how to distinguish between bandits and patriots [5]. However, the passages do not provide a comprehensive list of unanswered questions from the broader book, and no other topics from *Postwar* are addressed.
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
g little and caring less meant that real problems and variety of choices were perceived but dimly. For example, the U.S. could have asked itself — "Did we really have to support France in Southeast Asia in order to support a non-communist France internally and in Europe?" Another question we could have asked ourselves was — "If the U.S. choice in Vietnam really came down to either French colonialism or Ho Chi Minh, should Ho automatically be excluded?" Again, "If the U.S. choice was to be France, did France have any real chance of succeeding, and if so, at what cost?" Even before World War II…
es of people to tell us, we were certain to make mistakes. Yet, using those memories might have been misleading as well. This approach to research was bound to lead to distortions, and distortions we are sure abound in these studies. To bring the documents to life, to fill in gaps, and just to see what the "outside world" was thinking, we turned to newspapers, periodicals, and books. We never used these sources to supplant the classified documents, but only to supplement them. And because these documents, sometimes written by very clever men who knew so much and desired to say only a part and…
d objective." With six full-time professionals assigned to the Task Force, we were to complete our work in three months. A year and a a half later, and with the involvement of six times six professionals, we are finally done to the tune of thirty-seven studies and fifteen collections of documents contained in forty-three volumes. In the beginning, Mr. McNamara gave the Task Force full access to OSD Files , and the Task Force received access to CIA materials, and some use of State Department cables and memoranda. We had no access to White House files. Our guidance prohibited personal…
ude cld take acct such possibility only if every other possible avenue closed to preservation area from Kremlin control. Moreover, while Vietnam out of reach Soviet army it will doubtless be by no means out of reach Chi Commie hatchet men and armed forces. 8. Ho, Asian Neutral? Ho may indeed have never been other than a crafty Leninist, seeking a passing accommodation with the French or the U.S. while he gathered strength. His word and deed after 1949 support such a construction: In January 1950, the DRV declared itself to be the "only lawful government of the entire Vietnamese people,"…
-minh explained that by this he meant freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the release of political prisoners. The Viet-Nam also insists that they be permitted to send a delegation to Cochinchina to make sure that the French live up to these provisions and to cooperate with the French in bringing about the end of guerrilla warfare. He admitted that there are many unsavory elements within the resistance movement in Cochinchina, but argued that if his representatives could go through the country and talk to local leaders it would be possible to distinguish between bandits and…