 Diệm's repression of the protests sparked the so-called Buddhist crisis, during which several monks committed self-immolation, which was covered in the world press.The communists took full advantage of the situation and fueled anti-Diệm sentiment to create further instability.On July 27, 1964, 5,000 additional U.S. military advisers were ordered to the Republic of Vietnam (RVN or South Vietnam), bringing the total American troop level to 21,000.