Vietnam Syndrome Edit Meaning

1.

A view held largely by American conservativesthat the "loss" of the Vietnam War has created an American public biased against any type of American military conflict.

They argue that bad memories of the Vietnam War (scandals, protests, riots, images of killed/wounded soldiers and civilians, etc.) have caused the American people to distrust any type of war at all. As a result, it is argued, any attempt by the United States to engage in a military conflict will be viewed by the American people as "another Vietnam."

President George H.W. Bush declared Vietnam Syndrome "kicked" after the relatively successful end of the Gulf War.

There is considerable debate as to whether the War in Iraq is "another Vietnam" and the use of that phrase has caused many to believe that Vietnam Syndrome is alive and well.

"Vietnam Syndrome" is NOT to be confused with PTSD or re-adjustment problems experienced by some Vietnam veterans.

"By God, we've kicked the Vietnam syndrome once and for all!" -- George H.W. Bush at the end of the Gulf War

"Iraq is turning into anoter Vietnam!"

See iraq, iran, vietnam, war

2.

The fear of media, particularly television, causing decreased support on the home-front for a war or conflict.

The government and the military, clearly suffering from vietnam syndrome, made moves to restrict and censor the media in the approaching conflict.

See censorship, media, war, television