ipl-logo

An Analysis Of Operation Rolling Thunder And The Jus Ad Bellum Of The Persian Gulf War

4783 Words20 Pages

Operation Rolling Thunder was a widely criticized air campaign designed to deter the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) from supporting the National Liberation Front, in South Vietnam. In contrast, Operation Instant Thunder, named to distinguish itself from the former, was an incredibly effective air campaign that successfully destroyed Iraq’s war making capability. While the Jus En Bello of each campaign can be analyzed independently, they cannot fairly be evaluated without further inspection of the Jus Ad Bellum. The aim of such analysis is not solely for a determination of the ethics of each conflict, but also to examine how and if the morality of the Jus En Bello is influenced by the Jus Ad Bellum. After examining the ethics of the decision …show more content…

If one assumes that all aspects of the Jus Ad Bellum must be wholly satisfied as absolute responsibilities, the case for using force in Vietnam would be hard, but not impossible, to make. A more plausible method to apply Jus Ad Bellum to Vietnam is to consider the responsibilities similar to Prima Facie responsibilities where the strength of one can overcome the weakness of another. The Persian Gulf War, however, would pass the Jus Ad Bellum if every aspect were considered an absolute responsibility.
Jus En Bello
The Planning Stage

Michael Walzer wrote “soldiers and statesmen ought to know the dangers of cruelty and injustice and worry about them and take steps to avoid them.” This begins in the planning phase and carries through to the execution. The development of the CONOPs is specifically when the Jus Ad Bellum ends and the Jus En Bello begins. It is also where the first effects of the uncertain authority and cause of the Vietnam War were felt. In a March 24th 1965 Memo by Assistant Secretary of Defense McNaughton the objectives of Operation Rolling Thunder were ;
1. To reduce DRV/VC activities by affecting DRV will.
2. To improve the GVN/VC relative balance of morale.
3. To provide the US/GVN with a bargaining …show more content…

The bombing campaign in 1965 Vietnam can more aptly be called coercive diplomacy then proper use of military force as “target selection had been completely dominated by political and psychological considerations.” The stated goal of taking human life in order to offer a cessation during negotiations blurs the lines of proportionality as indiscriminate bombing neglects non-combatant

Show More
Related
518 Words | 3 Pages

Countless Americans lack education of the Vietnam War and what treatment the Vietnamese population received during the war. Many times the behavior conducted towards the Vietnamese portrayed American soldiers mistreating the noncombatants. James W. Loewen’s chapter nine of Lies My Teacher Told Me leads readers through the occurrences in the Vietnam War by elaborating the war crimes enacted by American soldiers, examining the intervention of America in the war, and describing pictures that were taken during the war. One subject Loewen uncovers is the analysis of the war crimes throughout the Vietnam War.

Read More
1898 Words | 8 Pages

Passionate John Kerry, a vietnam veteran, in his speech, Vietnam Veterans Against the War Statement, to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on April 23, 1971, argues that the soldiers sent to Vietnam were told to do terrible things and that they were fighting for reasons they did not even know. Kerry supports his argument by implementing anaphora, utilizing a pronoun switch, applying rhetorical questions, appeals to logos through the use of statistics, quotes, and an anecdote, and appeals to pathos through imagery and powerful language. The author’s purpose is to depict to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations exactly what occurred in Vietnam and why they should be against the war too. The author writes in a belligerent tone for the Senate

Read More
484 Words | 2 Pages

But is it enough? I also appreciate that through the years the just war theory has been expanded to include new parameters for methods and reasoning among other points (p. 143-4). But is it enough? 2) A major dilemma in war is the

Read More
697 Words | 3 Pages

War is immoral. War is cruel.” (Document B). This shows

Read More
1526 Words | 7 Pages

The book addresses four principle questions. First, when the use of force was an issue, what did military advisers recommend compared to civilian advisers? Second, what effect did the advice of the military have on presidential decisions, and how was their influence brought to

Read More
648 Words | 3 Pages

It is almost as if the United States was able make such an impactful conclusion to the war due to a belief that they are “God’s chosen people” and that their decisions are often correct, whether ethical or

Read More
1298 Words | 6 Pages

From the beginning of the United States’ history, conflict has always been prevalent. The need for armed forces continually grows, especially in times of war, as the fight for freedom becomes more challenging. Conscription, better known as the draft, was first introduced during the Civil War as a way to get more individuals involved in the military to fill vacant positions. The practice of the draft was finally discontinued in favor of an all-volunteer military system, when the need for troops was no longer necessary. After almost two decades of being involved overseas, the demand for armed troops is imperative once again.

Read More
596 Words | 3 Pages

Platoon Argumentative Essay If you’ve ever had an ethical dilemma related to upholding the Army Values, let me first warn you that this will not be your last ethical dilemma. Second, let me provide you with purpose, direction, and motivation to uphold the Army’s Standards to influence your decision. During the Vietnam War prompting this question to a second lieutenant may have been challenging due to little interest in prosecuting Vietnam war crimes.

Read More
992 Words | 4 Pages

The big failure America in the Vietnam War is the shameful history of tragic scene for arrogant American, whose pain is still difficult to ease. The crucial event also had a profound impact on today 's international situation. It is believed that the failure included political, economic, military and cultural background and other aspects, which are that common. When it comes to the controversial subject, I hope to put forward some fresh views from where I stand. 1.

Read More
360 Words | 2 Pages

OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER -SUCCESS OR FAILURE? Operation rolling thunder was a strategic and gradual bombing campaign undertaken by the united states military and the republic of south Vietnam. The aim of the campaign was mainly to prevent the north Vietnamese from invading the south Vietnamese and spreading communism. Over Three years the USA and south Vietnam dropped 643,000 tons of bombs on the north and spent around 900 million dollars. The operation was seen as ineffective as it did not meet the initial objectives as men, North Vietnamese guerrillas and materials continued to travel from the north to the south via a sophisticated network of paths and the ho Chi Minh trail which also ran through neighbouring countries such as Laos

Read More
1101 Words | 5 Pages

“I thought the Vietnam war was an utter, unmitigated disaster, so it was very hard for me to say anything good about it” - George McGovern. There are numerous controversial topics dispersed among the subject of American history due to the amount of unethical decisions that have been made in order to improve the lives of the people or keep America out of the clutches of war. Throughout American history, historians have debated the ethical impact that the Vietnam war had on the United States. Although some people may believe that the Vietnam War achieved the goal of avoiding communism and protecting the people, the overarching idea is that it was an unjust war because of the countless lives that were lost from the participating countries, the

Read More
645 Words | 3 Pages

The Vietnam War leaves a legacy of moral confusion with each and every soldier who serves. Soldiers are fighting for a cause they do not necessarily believe in, killing people who do not necessarily deserve it, and watching their brothers die beside them. Tim O’Briens’ book, The Things They Carried, illustrates the soldiers struggle to define morality throughout the confusion of the war. On the Rainy River, Tim O’Brien faces what he feels is his moral obligation to answer his country’s call and fight in Vietnam, and a personal moral issue with the reason for the war.

Read More
1164 Words | 5 Pages

Air Defense Artillery systems were put to use during the Vietnam War era. The systems had to do more with battlefields than to protect air bases. The weapons used were to serve as a geographical benefit. Heavy firepower was used to deliver serious land warfare. Methods of Air Defense Artillery systems deployed were executed by a variety of missions.

Read More
1441 Words | 6 Pages

Can an antiquated lens provide an adequate examination and understanding of modern warfare? The theories of Carl von Clausewitz retain remarkable contemporary merit and relevance in explaining the critical elements affecting warfare in the modern era. Carl von Clausewitz’s theories of war endeavor to be comprehendible, comprehensive, and strategic. Clausewitz contends that the conduct of war itself is without doubt very difficult. But the difficulty is not that erudition and great genius are necessary to understand the basic principles of warfare.1 Clausewitz 's 1812 essay, the Principles of War, offers military commanders, with little campaign experience, a comprehendible, comprehensive, and strategic model for attaining victory in battle.

Read More
1716 Words | 7 Pages

Describe the Just War Tradition (JWT) and explain the purpose for it. Why should US Army officers study and understand JWT? Explain. a) Description and Purpose of JWT The word "war" has a clearly association with horror, devastation and injustice. It is hardly to find greater antonyms than "war" and "justice".

Read More

More about An Analysis Of Operation Rolling Thunder And The Jus Ad Bellum Of The Persian Gulf War

Related Topics

Open Document