ABSTRACT
The previous chapter concentrated upon how geopolitical codes were formulated within the structure of global geopolitics. An essential dimension of a geopolitical code is the way that a country’s decisions and actions are justified. A convincing case for why a country is a “threat” or not, and what should be done about it, must always be made not only to a country’s own citizens, but also to the international community. This chapter will explore how violent acts of geopolitics (the prosecution of wars) are portrayed as the defense of a country’s material interests plus its values. Detailed discussion of the rhetoric of Saddam Hussein’s representation of the Gulf War of 1991 illustrates how domestic support for a war was fostered. The final section of the chapter describes President George W. Bush’s justifications for the 2003 invasion of Iraq-an argument that was addressed equally to domestic and global audiences.
