Three Wars, No Victory -Why? (By Bing West, National Review)

The author discusses three "hubs" of decision making in war, the military commanders, the policy makers, including POTUS, and the culture/society factors.

Vietnam 1965-1967 - Military strategy and policy makers take 100% of the blame for what the author calls a chaotic mess.

Vietnam 1968-1975 - The loss of South Vietnam was due to poor policy (under estimating the enemy) 30% and the popular mood in society 70% responsible.

In summary, we failed to win the war due to poor policy decisions and a failure to execute on the battlefield.  The enemy played a  huge role in the loss of popular support for the war (Tet and the final invasion by North Vietnam)   Providing the enemy "safe areas" and not attacking the north early in the war were all mistakes by policy makers based on a false premise of the enemy.  Remains a sad memory today for the veterans who served.

Iraq 2007-2011 - Military strategy 20% and policy  makers 80% for the mistakes made. (disbanding the Iraq Army, losing Fallujah to al-Quada

Iraq 2007-2021 - After successes, the policy decision makers were 100% responsible for the failures in Iraq, by twice pulling troops out of the country (2012 and 2019)

Afghanistan 2001-2021 - America's longest war and a failure to win is shared 50-50 by military strategy and policy decision makers. (providing sanctuary to the enemy and too much emphasis on nation building instead of defeating the enemy)

In summary, in all three wars the policy hub was primarily responsible for the failures.  In not one case did the president who initiated hostilities conclude (win) them before he left office.  Only Vietnam did the cuture play a role in failtures, in Iraq and Afghanistan the policy deciions snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

The question is when will America learn from  history!

Comments added by Steve Altick