ABSTRACT
Whilebeliefintheconceptofajustwarmightapproachuniversality,whatactually constitutessuchanactionmaywellvaryacrossnations,culturesandreligions. ThischapterfocusesontheGulfWarasacasestudyinwhichbothsidesexplicitly claimedjustificationsfortheiractionsbasedonmetaphysicalratherthanmaterial criteria.SaddamHusseindescribedtheconflictintermsofanIslamicJihad,or divinelysanctionedjustwaragainsttheinfidel,whereasPresidentGeorgeBush Seniorclaimedinnouncertainterms,andonrepeatedoccasions,thatthePersian GulfWarwasjust.Forhim:'Wewenthalfwayroundtheworldtodowhatis moral,just,andright'.AccordingtoDeCasse,hismoralclaimbeforeCongress cappedmonthsofunprecedentedethicaltalkbythePresident,themedia,religious leaders,intellectuals,andworkingmenandwomen.2Bushexplicitlylinkedthe conceptsofviolationofsovereignty,aggressionandjustice,inaclassicalWestern andChristianjustwarapproachtolegitimacy.However,theseclaimshavebeen challengedonbothfactualgroundsandwithregardtotheirdegreeofuniversality.
