Framing Actions in Vietnam and Today

Response to "From Saigon to Baghdad: The Vietnam Syndrome, the Iraq War and American Foreign Policy" (Week 5 Reading)
Post Date: April 25, 2014

This article describes how the Vietnam War has affected much of the United States dramatically, causing the US’ foreign policy to be analyzed and criticized by many. Many within the United States thought of their country as immune to consequences prior to the war, but this image shifted when the United States lost the Vietnam War. One such reason for this loss was due to how US citizens were disillusioned with why the United States was involved in this war, since the government gave vague reasons for their involvement. As a result, the term “Vietnam Syndrome” was coined in order to define how consequential the war was on the United States. Additionally, this research paper discusses the actions of the presidents did during this time period. Nixon’s, Ford’s, and Reagan’s roles were observed and analyzed, including some discussion over the methods and manners that the Vietnam War was framed in. Particular attention is given to Reagan’s “noble cause” statement, which frames the war positively despite how the United States lost in the end. This framing and interpretation of events in Vietnam has been done under many perspectives.

I found that this article gives good background on how the Vietnam War greatly affected the United States, since many other countries and individuals are watching what the US’ actions. During the War in Iraq, many analysts made comparisons to how this war started to become similar to events in the Vietnam War. One such reason involves the lack of information over why the United States entered Iraq in the first place. The US’ foreign policy and actions are thoroughly watched by others around the world and by individuals within the United States, such as protestors. These protestors also bring differing perspectives and differing manners of framing a situation not only to the Vietnam War, but to other events that are protested. Ultimately, listening and understanding these different perspectives will help the US’ foreign policy and actions, caught within the watching eyes of many onlookers.

Question: How has the Vietnam War reveal the various aspects of framing a particular action by differing sides?

Posted by: Eric Yu
Section A01

Protest of the Vietnam War has helped bring about alternative perspectives from citizens. Additionally, these protests have enabled many to protest against various government injustices. Image from the Media Resources Center of UC Berkeley. [Original Caption: April 15, 1967 Spring Mobilization to End the War, San Francisco (API)