Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club

The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club is a term that originated from a 1964 incident involving the U.S. Navy in the Gulf of Tonkin, which escalated U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. The phrase refers to the situation where naval vessels were reportedly attacked by North Vietnamese forces, leading to heightened tensions and military action. The term is sometimes used humorously or sarcastically to critique the motivations behind U.S. military decisions or to highlight the complexities and consequences of foreign intervention. Overall, it reflects the contentious nature of geopolitical conflicts during the Cold War era.