It’s an element of war, especially when dealing with democratic nations. What others think of you has a place in conflict. Why? Because others can supply weapons, funding, material, and in some cases reinforcements. If other countries have a positive opinion of you they are much more likely to contribute to your cause. If they have no opinion they won’t help, and if they have a negative opinion then they may undermine you. Is it fair? No. It’s not, but it’s reality. You could be some regular ole guy who just wants to keep his family home and farm or regain the old family farm but what someone thinks about you half way around the world could very well effect the outcome. Even if that’s just your objective how others perceive you and the people you fight matters.