The failure of the Vietnam War was a significant setback on the US foreign policy and a blow to its confidence as a nation of superpower. It affected its approach to international conflict, with policymakers choosing to avoid the introduction of large numbers of U.S troops in any form of conflict but instead relying on proxy forces, covert operations and military assistance. The Persian Gulf War saw the U.S send large troops, evidence enough that it had healed from the internal “wounds” of war. More so, the U.S government refrained from a macho approach and instead adopted a more inclusive approach that showed that they were learning and healing from the effects of the Vietnam War ( Ginsberg, 2016) .
Unlike the Vietnam war, the Persian Gulf War was not “an American war” rather an all-inclusive war that involved NATO members. As such, Americans did not “see” or regard the war as their burden to bear, rather a global initiative with a universal purpose, thus supported it. More so, the American government took the time to involve the American people, by using the media to make them understand the context of the war. There was also the issue of supporting Saudi Arabia (an ally) and its oil supplies from the Iraqi forces, which was viewed as a step in the right direction by the American people ( Ginsberg, 2016) .
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Unlike his predecessors, president bush devoted more time on foreign affairs evidenced by his involvement in Panama, the U.S-soviet relations, and the German unification. President Bush administration adopted a domestic policy that portrayed the military as U.S representatives in the international foray. He also took time to meet, greet and encourage the troops as a show of government support for the war and the forces involved. More so, the slogan “we support our troops” helped forge a patriotic consensus that portrayed U.S involvement in good light and allowed the government to advance in the war ( TheUSAHEC , 2014).
References
Ginsberg, M. E. (2016). Vietnam Envy And The Emerging Iraq Syndrome: How The Modern Antiwar Protest Movement Prevents The United States From Winning Military Conflicts. Massachusetts: Michael E. Ginsberg.
TheUSAHEC . ( 2014, July 25 ). "The 1991 Gulf War: Kicking the Vietnam Syndrome" by Dr. William T. Allison [video file]. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKg8btKDQwQ
