The Illogical Logics of America’s Wars in the Middle East: Vietnam and Iraq

Abstract

Introduction: Describing the US wars in Vietnam and Iraq, many critics assert the similarity between US decision making in both wars. The critics of U.S. administration often link between Iraq and Vietnam, charging George W. Bush and his policy makers that they had rejected the lessons of Vietnam War 1965–73 and involved the country in a similar kind of conflict. Purpose: This study aims to draw parallels between Iraq and Vietnam wars which mainly center on the role of misinformation and deception in the run-up to the two wars, the political and military problems that the United States confronted in each case, and the ebbing of public support in the face of two similarly draining conflicts. Study questions: The study raises many substantive questions concerning the two wars: How did America become involved in Vietnam? How did it launch war in Iraq? What were the main motivations in both wars? What were their main aims? Did the decision makers in George W. Bush’s administration learn the lessons of Vietnam or they repeated the same mistakes? Methodology/Approach: The study depends on the analytical and comparative approaches to analyze thoroughly how USA became involved in Vietnam and Iraq, its motivations, and its aims, trying to find satisfying answers to the questions it raised.