Operation Linebacker II was a strategic bombing campaign conducted by the United States against North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Launched on December 18, 1972, the operation aimed to compel North Vietnamese leadership to resume negotiations for peace in the ongoing war, which had entered a prolonged deadlock. Over the course of the twelve-day operation, American forces dropped thousands of tons of bombs on key military and logistical targets in and around Hanoi and Haiphong. This surprised and intensified efforts after previous negotiations had failed to achieve a ceasefire. Notably, B-52 bombers were used extensively, showcasing the airpower capabilities of the U.S. and generating broad media coverage due to its controversial nature.

The operation was characterized by a significant escalation in the use of air power and was met with widespread condemnation due to the high civilian casualties and destruction it caused. Protests against the war intensified both domestically and internationally, as images and reports of the devastation spread through the media. The bombing campaign ended on December 30, 1972, with North Vietnam returning to the negotiation table shortly thereafter, leading to the Paris Peace Accords and the eventual withdrawal of U.S. forces from Vietnam.

Despite achieving temporary diplomatic results, the operation left a complex legacy. The massive bombing campaign demonstrated the extent of U.S. military engagement and raised ethical questions regarding civilian casualties and warfare tactics. It also illustrated the difficulties faced in negotiating peace in Vietnam and the resulting calls for a reevaluation of military strategies in the Cold War context.