the end of the war, it was not always acknowledged that they were essential in bringing about the American response in the first place. President Bush promoted the war as a necessary action to curb Iraqi aggression and to protect the integrity of Kuwait, but this underplayed the real role of the Kuwaiti oil fields and the American need for a continuation of delivery of that oil. Amin (1991) notes that the Gulf War as presented in and to the Western media had but one objective--enforcing the rule of law and under that banner the liberation of Kuwait. The objective, it was said, would lead to a new world order based on law and justice, bringing about at last the end of the East-West conflict and leading to a new age. However, Amin counters that this is not indicated by the reality of the conflict:
Quite to the contrary, the Gulf War will necessarily heighten the injustices that are the foundation of all world orders, new and old. It is certain that the principal Western powers will not reconstruct the world so that it is more just, but on the contrary will reaffirm an order than . . . has constantly violated the rights of the peoples of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. (Amin, 1991, p. 14)
The concern with public opinion both before and after a declaration of war has heightened as a consequence of the Vietnam War, perceived as a public relations disaster and as a war lost because of growing public dissatisfaction at home. Therefore, any President who feels it necessary to engage in war also feels it necessary to shape the story and to garner all the support possible. The U.S. has shied away from a number of conflicts--notably in Central America and in Bosnia--from fear of another Vietnam, a conflict entered on a temporary basis that drags on and draws in more and more troops and a greater commitment. One reason for avoiding such conflicts has been fear of a public backlash, as many believe happened when the Vietnam war dra...