Vietnam and Gulf Wars - Essay Example

Vietnam and Gulf Wars The Vietnam and Gulf wars had adverse impacts on the United States. This is especially so since the US got involved in the war, and then withdrew in the long run. The basic argument for every country entering a war concerns the interest its stands to address and the eventual gain in political sanity in both the place of war and the country entering into the war (Frost, Poyser, and Shawcross 22). It is still open to debate whether it was called for participation in both wars.

Eventually, the involvement of United States in Vietnam and Gulf war did more harm than good. The decision to send U.S troop to Vietnam did not take into considerations the view of the public or the congress. Negative impressions by the public and many political bigwigs persisted throughout the time that the U.S troops were in Vietnam. The public was up in arms at the amount of money that was used during this time of war in Vietnam. The losses were not only in monetary terms but also in the number of soldiers who perished (Rosenau 46).

So many soldiers died and others were also injured. It was the first time that the United States had suffered a loss in war. The Vietnam War left an economic dent that was felt throughout the U.S. apart from that, shame and perceived weakness in military force and policies was exposed for the whole world to see (McNamara and VanDeMark 67). The eventual pull out of the force seemed like an acceptance of a mistake and defeat. The eventual effects of the Vietnam disaster were still lingering in the minds of the American public and political players.

When the ‘free Kuwait” decision that ultimately led to sending of troops in the gulf region was made, the American citizens were not very pleased. They criticized the decision. The aftermath of Vietnam had an effect on the foreign policy decisions and the reluctance of people to go through an ordeal like the previous one. The public saw it as another catalyst for economic slowdown and massive loss of lives for an international situation that did not “scream” out for their participation.

According to the public and some political players, it was not necessary to go to war at the moment leave alone going there with brimming confidence of a win.Since the US aimed at being the superior power, involvement in the war led to the breaking of relations especially after the US invaded Grenada and Panama (Murrin, et al. 844).  Countries such as the Soviet Union were silently not amused by the antics of United States. Slowly, U.S was creating a divide and even causing tensions with its long term allies.

A host of other countries did not approve the actions and were afraid to commit to U.S. the U.S administration, especially through its foreign policy had created mistrust from foreign countries (Murrin, et al. 790-93). They were still concerned about the atrocities that had been committed in war especially the heavy casualties incurred.Due to the involvement of the US in the Vietnam War, massive lives were lost in the war, relations were broken among the countries involved both directly and indirectly and fear and suspicion governed the concerned countries.

The topic is of essence as it explains the need for contemplation prior to embarking on war. Countries need to assess situations before taking a decision to involve themselves in war. Evidently, the US did the wrong thing. Nonetheless, the situation can be repaired and other countries borrow from this example. War creates more harm than good.Works CitedBuckaloo, Derek N. Fighting the Last War: The "vietnam Syndrome" As a Constraint on U.s. Foreign Policy, 1975-1991. N.p., 2002. Print.Frost, David, David Poyser, and Hartley S.

Shawcross. The Effects of War. Princeton N.p., n.d. Print.McNamara, Robert S, and Brian VanDeMark. In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam. N.p., 1995. Print.Murrin, John. Johnson, Paul., McPherson, James., Fahs, Alice. & Gerstle, Gary. Liberty, Equality, Power: A History of the American People, Volume 2: Since 1863. London: Cengage Learning, 2011. Print. Rosenau, William. Special Operations Forces and Elusive Enemy Ground Targets: Lessons from Vietnam and the Persian Gulf War.

Santa Monica: Project Air Force/Rand, 2001. Print.