the 2003 invasion of Iraq was “the most foolish
war since Emperor Augustus in 9 A.D. sent his legions into
Germany and lost them” This leading military theorist is Martin
van Creveld, an Israeli military historian and theorist. Van Creveld
had taught at every major strategic institute, military or civilian,
in the western world including the U.S. navel war college.
His books are required reading at West Point and Annapolis and
his book “The Transformation of War” is among the
most important treatises on military theory ever written.
I’m not going to doubt the opinion of such an illustrious analyst out of hand, Peter. But in a broader context - the more broadly (domestic) social ramifications, I still say Vietnam takes the blue ribbon. This may be balanced by the fact that geopolitically, the present war is far more damaging to the US.
This may be like quibbling over the difference between hanging and electrocution in the end, however.
It really doesn’t take a genius (although that fellow might be one) to recognize that the war was a blunder –even before its conception. It was a great idea at the time. It had to be done. The timing sucked. A great opportunity to clean house presented itself while the plans were still on paper. They didn’t want to lose that window of opportunity. It was a rush job. Had the administration known they would have a second term, who knows, they would probably have crafted a better scheme. Just can’t wait to see what happens in the next ten years … should be interesting.
faust: I’m not going to doubt the opinion of such an illustrious analyst out of hand, Peter. But in a broader context - the more broadly (domestic) social ramifications, I still say Vietnam takes the blue ribbon. This may be balanced by the fact that geopolitically, the present war is far more damaging to the US.
K: I think we are of the age to think vietnam was the end all, be all.
Vietnam might be the defining event in America in the last 50 years
and yet I suspect it will pale in comparison to Iraq.