I can only speak as my experience as an American (🤮), but I’ve noticed the media hardly ever talks about contemporary Vietnam. Most other AES (and even formerly AES) states get ruthlessly bashed at every opportunity, but I almost never see anything about Vietnam.
Is there a reason for this?
and suddenly become empaths and sense that they desperately want some freedom sent their way
Low-yield tactical freedom?
"Hey people of Cuba/Venezuela/North Korea/etc, the West here. We think that your government is authoritarian and doesn’t grant you basic rights. So in order to liberate you from your oppression, we’ve decided to sanction your country and cause shortages of essential resources, including food and medical supplies that truly are basic rights, and generally make your life hell. But remember, we’re not to blame for that, your evil government is doing this to you.”