Gulf War II Compared to Other Wars

The current war we're bogged down in is frequently compared to Vietnam. On another thread, someone pointed out an analogy to the Spanish American War. I thought it would be interesting to compare it to all the major wars the U.S. has fought - and a few that didn't include the U.S.

Amusingly, I discovered I don't even know what the current war is called! I usually refer to it as Gulf War II, short for "The Second Gulf War." Perhaps it doesn't deserve to be dignifed with a proper name in the first place; it isn't a war so much as a corporate takeover, or a sick joke.

At any rate, here are some comparisons:


The Crusades were a series of "Holy Wars" between Europeans and residents of the Middle East, particularly the area centered around Jerusalem. They basically pitted Christianity against Islam. The current conflict is most frequently compared to the Crusades, the war in Vietnam, and Gulf War I.


Revolutionary War - American patriots fought against King George, winning their independence, and a cornucopia of civil liberties.

Gulf War II - George W. Bush has grabbed power and taken away U.S. citizens' civil liberties, transforming into an American "King George." The Revolutionary War was sparked largely by economic issues - notably taxes and tariffs. Gulf War II is similarly an economic war, revolving around oil and corporations lusting after high-paying reconstruction jobs.


War of 1812 - The British invaded the U.S. and put our capital to the torch.

Gulf War II - We invaded Iraq and unleashed tremendous destruction in Baghdad.


Indian Wars - In the broadest sense of the name, the Indian wars lasted centuries and pitted Europeans with vastly superior technology against Native Americans. It was one of history's most notable examples of genocide.

Today, many people believe the United States and Israel have declared war against Muslims, and the technology at the "Coalition's" disposal is once again vastly superior.


Civil War - There aren't many obvious analogies between America's Civil War and Gulf War II. But think again... The Civil War freed the slaves, while Gulf War II is helping turn Americans into corporate serfs. The Civil War's legacies include a marked increase in religion and patriotism (or nationalism), which propagandists inserted in public schools; the same thing is happening today. The Civil War pitted the North against the South, and the divisions remain today. Though not all Southerners were guilty of slavery, they erred in supporting Nazi-like Confederates. They are once again erring in supporting RepubliNazis.

It's still possible that Gulf War II could spawn a civil war in Iraq, perhaps between the Kurds and other elements.


Spanish American War (1898) - America's first great war for overseas empire began with the mysterious sinking of the battleship Maine in Cuba. Through newspapers practicing "yellow journalism," Big Business cried for war - and they got it. Recent research indicates the sinking of the Maine was an inside job. Like Pearl Harbor and/or 9/11, it may been an inside job, used as a pretext for war.


World War I - This was the first great war that saw widespread use of chemical weapons. Weapons of mass destruction were the #1 excuse for launching Gulf War II - yet no such weapons have yet been found.


World War II - The West allied against one of history's monsters - Adolph Hitler. Today, the UK's Tony Blair has allied with the man most equated with Hitler, George W. Bush. Under Hitler, Germany had the world's most powerful military - one that used victious tactics - and he was trying to get the atomic bomb. Gulf War II has seen U.S. soldiers committing many atrocities, as George Bush campaigns for tactical nukes and other weapons of mass destruction.

Hitler invaded countries without warning; Bush invaded Iraq without cause.

World War II might never have happened if world leaders had not appeased Hitler. Today, world leaders have been bribed, duped or intimidated into appeasing George W. Bush.


Korea - This tragic war ended with the Korean Peninsula still divided and North Korea more isolated and militant than ever. If Iraqis manage to topple their U.S.-appointed government, they could also evolve into a nation firmly committed to resisting the Great Satan - which supported Saddam Hussein for so many years.


Vietnam - We rode into this war on lies, killed millions of people, then got our asses kicked. Gulf War II was based on even more blatant lies. The casualties aren't nearly as high - though they reportedly exceed Vietnam's total for the same time period. We unleashed biochemical weapons on Vietnam (Agent Orange) and left behind unexploded weapons and bomb craters that continued to maim and kill. Similarly, we've littered Iraq with unexploded cluster bombs, depleted uranium and God knows what else. And we could ultimately get our asses kicked.


Gulf War I - Gulf War II is similar in that the initial invasion lasted just a few days and resulted in relatively few casualties to Coalition forces. Tens of thousands of Iraqis were massacred, including those caught on the infamous "Highway of Death."

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Six Day War - Gulf War II resembles the famous war fought between Israel and its antagonists in the remarkable swfitness of the initial invasion. Israel is now a major U.S. ally in the Middle East.

The Napoleonic Wars deserve mention, because they lasted 23 years, a reminder that Bush's war against terrorism could last forever. The Napoleonic Wars ended with a battle that might one day be seen as analogous with Gulf War II - Waterloo.

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Please add your comments, as I might put this on my website.