Old history, VN was lost on the political front. Hard to fight an enemy (support of the population? I doubt it.), who did not balk at killing and otherwise intimidating the locals to get support by fear. I've met a lot of the people who escaped, and they seem to verify that.
Having an "ally" in a trouble spot never hurts. As to the formation of Israel, I doubt GWB and Cheney were behind it. I do have some sympathy for the Palestinians, but apparently more than their Arab neighbors have, as they are willing to fight for the Palestinian cause, but seem to have little tolerance for the people who are pretty much treated as pariahs.
I get to talk to a lot of people (from elsewhere), and rely more on their experiences than I do on the media reports.