Democracy Arsenal

« Welcome Eric Martin to Democracy Arsenal | Main | You Don't Have to Live Like a Refugee »

September 01, 2010

Lessons of Iraq - The Two Andrews Version UPDATE
Posted by Michael Cohen

Over at TNR, the always upbeat Andrew Bacevich has an smart post arguing that the United States has learned nothing from the war in Iraq:

The Americans are bowing out, having achieved few of the ambitious goals articulated in the heady aftermath of Baghdad’s fall. The surge, now remembered as an epic feat of arms, functions chiefly as a smokescreen, obscuring a vast panorama of recklessness, miscalculation, and waste that politicians, generals, and sundry warmongers are keen to forget. 

Back in Iraq, meanwhile, nothing has been resolved and nothing settled. Round one of the Iraq war produced a great upheaval that round two served only to exacerbate. As the convoys of U.S. armored vehicles trundle south toward Kuwait and then home, they leave the stage set for round three. 

. . . As U.S. forces have withdrawn, they have done so in an orderly fashion. In their own eyes, they remain unbeaten and unbeatable. As the troops pull out, the American people are already moving on: Even now, Afghans have displaced Iraqis as the beneficiaries of Washington’s care and ministrations. Oddly, even disturbingly, most of us—our memories short, our innocence intact—seem content with the outcome. The United States leaves Iraq having learned nothing.

He's right. But as I noted the other day, the dangerous lesson of Iraq is that we've convinced ourselves that the US can stabilize war-torn environments, we get counter-insurgency and our tactical decision-making can be determinative in ending insurgencies. All of this is poppycock of course, as we are seeing in Afghanistan. And right on cue, Andrew Exum makes the following observation:

I think we have learned a lot, tactically, operationally, and strategically, and I think the American people will in the future be more wary of the kind of military adventurism that led to the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Bacevich should take heart in this. 

And Andrew wonders why Bacevich is cranky.

Let's put aside for one moment the obvious fact that Iraq has hardly made policymakers, virtually the entire DC foreign policy establishment and the "American people" less reluctant to engage in military adventurism. You don't believe me: cast your gaze over to the 100,000 troops fighting a local Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan in a war that literally could not be more tangential to US interests and national security. Even if Exum is technically correct that we won't invade and occupy another country any time soon (which I'll get to in a second), that's hardly Bacevich's point. It's that we choose to believe in the sanctity of our decisions to go war and overestimate the capabilities of our military to advance US interests (this is not to mention the fact that we consistently overinflate those interests and chose to further our interests almost always with the sharp end of the spear).

Bacevich is right: we've basically learned nothing from Iraq. In fact, we've learned less than nothing, because the lessons we are taking from Iraq - pithily rounded-up in Exum's quote - are negative and dangerous lessons about the proper uses of American military power that are likely to lead to more not less adventurism in the future.

And as for the notion that the American people have turned their back on "military adventurism"; that's even worse. You could have made that argument after Vietnam; you could have made it in the 1990s when we fought wars in the most limited manner manageable; hell you could have made that argument on September 10, 2001.

Then 19 guys kill 3,000 Americans and guess what: we're fighting two foreign wars at a cost of a trillion dollars in direct violation of pretty much every principle that drove the use of US military power for the previous 20 years.

So much for lessons learned.

UPDATE: Over at Thinking Strategically, Aaron Ellis has read this post and drawn an interpretation that is . . . well I'm not sure how to properly describe it. He says, "From reading his latest ‘Never again!’ piece, however, one can’t help think that Cohen believes using force can’t achieve anything."

I mean I suppose that is one interpretation; of course it's also completely wrong and I'm at a loss to see how Aaron gets there. For example, unlike many of my liberal brethren I'm fully supportive of the use of force, via drones, in NW Pakistan. The first Gulf War seems like a smart and effective use of American military power. Kosovo (ish). 

But here is a good example of an unwise use of force: invading and occupying a medium-sized Arab country that posed no significant threat to the United States or its vital interests. As I noted in earlier threads there were force packages that would have made sense in dealing with Saddam Hussein - invasion and occupation was not one of them. Believing that the Iraq War was a disastrous strategic decision is not the same thing as believing that wars can never achieve policy goals. I mean isn't that sort of obvious?

Here is another example of a bad strategic decision to go to war: sending 100,000 troops to Afghanistan to fight a counterinsurgency against an enemy that poses no threat to US security, particularly when other force packages (like the aforementioned drone war) would more effectively further US interests and at a much lower cost.

I suppose the takeaway here is that the use of force should be effectively calibrated so that it is commensurate with actual national interests. That was not the case in Iraq; it is, in my view, not the case today in Afghanistan.

I hope that clarifies things. 

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451c04d69e20133f37e19d7970b

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Lessons of Iraq - The Two Andrews Version UPDATE:

Comments

good!

It is interesting, I will go back to read them again.

nice shraing

thread starter's post is written wonderful. Writing is smooth, dignified rhetoric, won the Wei and Jin Zhu Chao-legacy, but will also promote the Tang, Song was penetrating bone can be seen in their lifetime this Louzhu post.

As I noted in earlier threads there were force packages that would have made sense in dealing with Saddam Hussein

I'm new here. Where can I find these posts? Thx.

Very good article, continue to work, I love it.

The Iraq war was a great success for those who planned it well in advance. Iraq will be the number one producer of oil in a relatively short while, according to Lloyd's of London and others who forecast the history of oil in advance.

But even at that, it will be a short lived success to those elites.

Thank you.I hope I can improve through learning this respect. But overall, it's very nice. Thank you for your share!

Most people like curled hair and wearing curled GHD Hair UK maybe can make them look more fashionable nowadays. Curling hair is just like one coin.You will become beautiful if you get the suitable hairdo. Otherwise, your curled hair will buy GHD Hair Straighteners seems older than the actual age. No matter what kind of texture of your hair is, the straight hair always makes folks young and full of vigor. If you don't like your curled hair, it is fairly easy to make it straight with GHD MK4 Straighteners with the following steps.

After body-building, the following meal is very important to your body. Notice the Reasons of the Popularity of NDSTT After some l exercise, some important elements of your body run out. If these elements keep r4 ds
low, your body will start to use protein in your body. After taking jam, you should not to have some food which is rich in protein, such as chicken, beef or steak etc. You should choose some food which is R4 DS
easy to digest to your body such as milk, egg or high protein. At that time, the goal of eating some food is in order to take enough R4DS
amino acid to your muscle and take material to your muscle.The Mark of EZ flash vi Owe to Your Ignorance

Willingly Document take. The particular design can be interesting, I may take part in discussion.

Links of London Outlet Shop has a selection of high quality 14k gold baby bangle bracelets that are small and delicate with a little dangling heart for about $188. There are also bangle charm bracelet designs that are ideal for kids or young adults with links of london small heart charms that are engravable. Baby bracelet bangle styles are almost always simple, either just a band of gold or a simple engraved bangle bracelet with a date or links of london sets name on a teeny charm. Childrens bangle bracelets on the other hand can be very ornate, including gemstones, Disney charms, cartoon characters, engravings and even diamonds. Most are solid yellow gold to avoid allergic reactions. The most popular links of london charms bangle bracelets are the Links of London designs which can be quite expensive. However, there are some silver bracelets and enamel bangle styles that are much more affordable, under $50 or $100.

Good blog, where it taught me a lot! Thank you! The hope of improving the content!

thanks for you share ,i like so much,It is so lucky to read your blog,it is full of useful message

Convenience for you to buy Cheap NFL Jerseys.

Today,I have read many articles on your website,I want to say there are for many Hot political topics,You wrote well! I'm sorry about my poor english !

Cook acclaimed that beside acquisitions by Apple, such as the adeptness of PA 2008 Semi-finals and the accession access year of the Lala music service-to for baby companies that power cord for dell latitude c540 laptop Apple ( A1175 A1148) buy to get their calmly on “the technology and talent. ” Apple adventuresome address aloft companies, Cooked added: “We acceptance spent the basal and cyberbanking test. If you accession something that in achievement makes adeptness for shareholders of Apple, we’re not traveling to do. ”

I'm sorry, but it's not good enough to say "do over." The pundits' second thoughts should carry the cargo of their previous assumptions, heady projections and salient selling points.I'm a businessman, but also about this thing.nike air max .

Very good blog, I got a lot of things! If you need to watch, please click on my name, visit our website, where you need to be able to find watch and look forward to your visit! Thank you!

Ladies,Christian Louboutin Pumpswanna own a pair of sexy shoes as the celebrities? Guys, are you still drain your brains for what presents to choose for your girls? Here comes the best Christian Louboutin high heels with the most competitive prices. Christian Louboutin high heels are your best choicechristian louboutin black. A good amount of fashionable styles are here for you to choose from,Christian shoes come and find the on es thatbelongt oyou. Christian Louboutin Boots You will find it is absolutely worth purchasing!

Ladies, If you need Long Hair Extensions or Saç Kaynakları please visitSaç Kaynak Merkezi TürkiyeReal human hair Saç Kaynakları Saç kaynak Fiyatları, Saç Kaynak Modelleri.Peace all of the world Çıt Çıt Saç . Gerçek İnsan Saçı Çıt Çıt Saçlar Sach Saç Kaynak Merkezinde Çıt Çıt Saç Kaynağı come and find the Hair Dresser. Kuaför Murat Kolukırık Saç Kaynak uzmanı Hair Extensions

merhaba arkadaşlar çok güzel bir site yapmışsınız gerçektende şu bizim nacizane linkimizide kabul ederseniz çok müteşekkir olurum.Görüşmek dileğiyle umarım thy bilet fiyatları konusunda istediğimiz başarıya ulaşırız.

The man upstairs competitive. What question can answer. Learning.

thank you for share,very good and useful.just i need.I could not agree with you more

Good, I like the achievement, thanks a lot.

Jerseys Section 3 describes the system itself in a general way, including the ..and also discusses how to evaluate system performance.

of people in Beijing for the Olympics. 2010 Moncler Pierre and I did have a very good time at the ball. But that was the last moment of happiness in our lives. Section 3 describes the system itself in a general way, including the ..and also discusses how to evaluate system performance. Would you please make my reservation to Chicago for tomorrow I've heard so much about you Moncler outlet What days are you free during the A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. It s really fast and exciting. What time does the plane take off Moncler outlet The name whitewater comes from the fact that the water in these streams and rivers looks white when it moves quickly. Keep in touch A good book is a good friend. I think so . new laptop battery You must be quite good if you play This paper outlines the functions carried out by ... Thank you all for coming In this paper, we focus on the need for Jerseys It s sunny. Many people who saw the film were afraid to swim in the sea when they remembered the scenes in which people were eaten by the shark. Especially the women s volleyball.

Thank you.I hope I can improve through learning this respect. But overall, it's very nice. Thank you for your share!

A nice green gel sole completes the package. These also came with the silver Air Max premium keychain. Best shoes i've brought for UGG Boots Sale, the grip is unbeleivable can stop and turn on a dime, they fit perfectly and my feet are never sore after playing Nike Air Max in them.I have read some of the bad reviews and I will write again in a few weeks or after my track season to see how they wear.. These premium Air Max Shoes were only available on UGGS in 2006 and were not available in stores. Retail on them was UGG Boots and a matching shirt was released alongside them as well. They feature a nice all patent leather upper with no Cheap UGG Boots on the toe but some stars are pictured in their place.

Yeah, I strongly agree with you. It seems there are really talented writers who are willing to share a very good articles online.

The Americans are bowing out, having achieved few of the ambitious goals articulated in the heady aftermath of Baghdad’s fall. The surge, now remembered as an epic feat of arms, functions chiefly as a smokescreen, obscuring a vast panorama of recklessness, miscalculation, and waste that politicians, generals, and sundry warmongers are keen to forget.

It is interesting, I will go back to read them again.

Nice post.It's all in the eyes and where they are looking~

Im not going to say what everyone else has already said, but I do want to comment on your knowledge of the topic. You're truly well-informed.

Best,I like it,Because jersey is cheap and beautiful.

Oh God you are a genius person and a good photographer i like your pics thanks.

Our ugg boots clearance nails aren’t just a convenient place to put colored polish. Nails, on both the fingers and the toes, are made of keratin, the same stuff our hair contains, only denser and harder. Nails are the primate equivalent of hooves and claws on other animals. Animals use their claws or talons to catch prey, climb trees, and defend themselves. Humans have evolved to the point where fingernails are not vital for survival, but there’s no doubt that they’re useful ugg boots clearance. They help when we’re performing fine motor skills, like untying knots and preparing food. They’re also important for scratching (a pleasurable experience most mammals enjoy) and grooming ugg boots clearance.

Toenails are less important than fingernails ugg boots clearance. At this stage of our evolution, they’re little more than remnants. Watching apes and monkeys use their feet to grasp objects reminds us that at one point it was useful to have nails on our toes, but they’re simply not as necessary now. Apes and monkeys also have opposable thumbs on their feet that help their dexterity. Since humans don’t have these, our feet are useful mainly for ambulation ugg boots clearance.

One thing that nails are not for is protection of the nail bed. Contrary to popular belief, they serve no protective purpose ugg boots clearance, and without fingernails or toenails, our digits would not be uncomfortably sensitive; the nail bed would simply become harder and tougher to accommodate the new level of exposure ugg boots outlet.

There were rockets like a flight of scintillating birds singing with sweet voices. There were green trees with trunks of dark smoke: their leaves opened like a whole spring unfolding in a moment,and their shining branches dropped glowing flowers down upon the astonished hobbits, disappearing with a sweet scent ugg boots clearance just before they touched their upturned faces.There were fountains of butterflies that flew glittering into the trees;there were pillars of coloured fires that rose and turned into eagles,or sailing ships, or a phalanx of flying swans; there was a red thunderstorm and a shower of yellow rain; there was a forest of silver spears that sprang suddenly into the air with a yell like an embattled army,and came down again into the Water with a hiss like a hundred hot ugg boots clearancesnakes.And there was also one last surprise, in honour of Bilbo, and it startled the hobbits exceedingly, as Gandalf intended. The lights went out.A great smoke went up.It shaped itself like a mountain seen in the distance,and began to glow at the summit. It spouted green and scarlet flames.Out flew a red-golden dragon?not life-size,but terribly life-like:fire came from his louis vuitton outlet, his eyes glared down; there was a roar,and he whizzed three times over the heads of the crowd.They all ducked,and many fell flat on their faces.The dragon passed like an express train,turned a somersault,and burst over Bywater with a deafening explosion.

The two women started to leave, and Jimmy said, "May I keep one of the flashlights? So I can read the comic books."UGG Boots Clearance
"Sure," May said, and gave him hers. Then she and Murch's Mom went out to the hail and took their masks off again. They locked the door, left the key in the lock, and went downstairs.UGG Boots Clearance
Murch had lit the three kerosene lanterns he'd stashed here, and the living room looked almost livable.UGG Boots Clearance Wet clothing now hung from the nails and hooks left in the walls. Kelp was sitting at the card table in his undershirt, playing solitaire, and Dortmunder was wringing out his shirt. The smell of wet cloth mixed with the odor of kerosene smoke; combined with the boarded up windows and the exaggerated shadows on the walls and the darkness beyond the interior doorways,Clearance UGGS it was more like being in a cave underground than in a house.
Dortmunder said, "The kid okay?"Ugg boots clearance
Murch's Mom said, "He's in better shape than we are."
"I'll get us something to eat," May said, and went over to the stone fireplace in the corner of the room. Murch had brought out charcoal and a hibachi, two large cans to boil water in, and some field rations nicknamed Lurps; officially Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Rations, they were dry rations in plastic bags, Ugg boots clearancewhich converted into casseroles like beef-and-rice or pork-and-beans when hot water was added. There were also instant coffee, cream, and plastic cups and dishes.
Dortmunder said to Murch, "You drive your mother to a phone booth now. You can find one, can't you?"Ugg boots clearance
Murch was astonished. "Go out now? In that rain?"

The first Gulf War seems like a smart and effective use of American military power. Kosovo (ish).

But here is a good example of an unwise use of force: invading and occupying a medium-sized Arab country that posed no significant threat to the United States or its vital interests. As I noted in earlier threads there were force packages that would have made sense in dealing with Saddam Hussein - invasion and occupation was not one of them. Believing that the Iraq War was a disastrous strategic decision is not the same thing as believing that wars can never achieve policy goals. I mean isn't that sort of obvious?

Here is another example of a bad strategic decision to go to war: sending 100,000 troops to Afghanistan to fight a counterinsurgency against an enemy that poses no threat to US security, particularly when other force packages (like the aforementioned drone war) would more effectively further US interests and at a much lower cost.
sohbet chat seslisohbet seslichat seslisohbet siteleri seslichat siteleri xat

I hope this will allow, I've never used this site before, so not really sure what he did. So this is just a test message. I really like this forum has several excellent discussions that take place.

Very often I go to see this blog. It very much is pleasant to me. Thanks the author

Chaque fois que je vois blogs aussi bon que ce que je sais que je devrais cesser de surf et de commencer à travailler sur le mien!

how can I post a comment?

Thank you for your sharing I like i very much

Socialist? You mean making people LED Lighting pay for their own health care instead of leaching off the system that Obama passed? Or do you mean when he cut back on LED Tube BU$H's social programs for corporations that ship jobs overseas? Or could you LED Display possibly be talking about the tax cuts for working Americans and rebuilding America's infrastructure that LED Tube was neglected for 8 years while your money was redistributed to defense contractors and the top 5%? I am curious, why do you support the socialism and wealth redistribution-to-the-top of the B$UH years, and why are you LED Display against tax cuts for yourself? You probably won't have a rational answer, but thought I'd ask anyway.

Where should their loyalty lie and what should be the consequences of their actions ?

Ce blog est certainement excellent. Excellent travail. Pour cette raison, je jouis de maintien de retour à la weblog.

Oh God you are a genius person and a good photographer i like your pics thanks.

Very interesting and informative article. Read very easily. Such quality articles really very little now.

Read this article if you have a child coming up to their first day at school. It will give you some ideas for what you should put in your child's school bag on their first day.
Visvim

Discount pandora charms is pandora usually formed by the Danish expensive jewelry artists Each Enevoldsen for 1979. In a little while this type of business enterprise has been mopping worldwide. He was quoted saying, pandora charms Ive never thought this Pandora has got delicious effect these days. One reason tends to be that we’ve been concerning about the new product pattern in addition to system superior quality, nevertheless the victory got here soundlessly. Via Early in the eightys, the happy pandora australia couple commonly imported out of Thailand pandora jewelry for full price as well as would a very long time inexpensive online business. After encountering several direction pandora.com.au means together with a solid develop sales, the happy couple decide to build their particular expensive jewelry plant around Thailand later. Inside 1989, they put in place a smaller manufacturing plant inside Bangkok and did start to prepare goods which designed by your pet designed for construct inside Thailand. During 2000, this wonderful pandora rings time Pandora bracelets that had been copyrighted plus created by the pup and sold in that Denmark market, which in turn shot to popularity speedily round the whole entire Pound.

It is interesting, I will go back to read them again.

Thanks for blogging this, it was quite handy and showed me quite a bit

"You're not going to let me be your guide? Final word?"

可爱米雕!,WRITE ON RICE为您提供最好的米上刻字工艺。我们集米雕的零购,批发和加盟。为您提供优质,精美的米雕礼品和可靠的米雕创业机会。我们特别推出的

米雕套餐,非常适合想低投入,高收益的用户,性价比极高。米雕(米上刻字)加盟

请选择我们,点击什么是米雕
LEARN write on rice

Me and my friend were arguing about an issue similar to this! Now I know that I was right. lol! Thanks for the information you post.

i agree your article.

American scientists, depression and anxiety in mice given only antidepressant antidepressant and anti-inflammatory therapy in mice given a "more successful " saw that.

Thank you for sharing. Very happy to see your article, I very much to like and agree with your point of view. Have a good time.

thanks for sharing admins

Thank you for your sharing.

Me and my friend were arguing about an issue similar to this! Now I know that I was right. lol! Really thanks for the information you post.

Thank you for the article, I saw after the enlightened, my idea like you, just not good at expression.

YEAH,You are collaborating with some Huge name. This stuff is very impressive.


like you get all the brains. I just get to say for he answer.

thanks for your article, i like your opinion......A

Colour plus texture for the lips. Stands out on the runway. Simmers on the street! What made M·A·C famous.

Good post. I very interested in the article.

This is a great article. I hadn't known any of this stuff baout Phish. You should do this about more artists!


I am happy to find so many useful information here in the post, thanks for sharing it here. I hope you will adding more.

The article is worth reading, I like it very much. I will keep your new articles.
http://www.nfljerseysmalls.com

I like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pictures to drive the message home a little bit,but other than that,this is great blog.

Great post, thank you very much, please write more and more about this. Very interesting.d and understand.Fell in love with you assddffff

Perhaps this is one of the most interesting blogs that I have ever seen. Interesting article, Funny comment. Keep it up!

The article is worth reading,it makes me fell good,http://www.nike-discounts.com thanks for the bolg owner.I will keep visiting your blog.

The article is worth reading,it makes me fell good,http://www.nike-discounts.com thanks for the bolg owner.I will keep visiting your blog.

This is a great article. I hadn't known any of this stuff baout Phish. You should do this about more artists!

I tried to simply turn the front wheel via the handlebars in the direction I wanted to make such a 90 degree turn, while traveling a straight path. I noticed that I soon as a turned the handlebars even slightly I f

I am Happy to be here! Interested parties can contact a lot

goals articulated in the heady aftermath of Baghdad’s fall. The surge, now remembered as an epic feat of arms, functions chiefly as a smokescreen, obscuring a vast panorama of recklessness, miscalculation, and waste that politicians, generals, and sundry warmongers are keen to forget.

Back in Iraq, meanwhile, nothing has been resolved and nothing settled. Round one of the Iraq war produced a great upheaval that round two served only to exacerbate. As the convoys of U.S. armored

around 50% of their annual energy bill on heating and A/C? San Diego may well have a climate that borders perfection, but only few of us can tolerate those freezing winter nights and scorching summer days without smoothly functioning heating and air conditioning

handlebars in the direction I wanted to make such a 90 degree turn, while traveling a straight path. I noticed that I soon as a turned

make such a 90 degree turn, while traveling a straight path. I noticed that I soon as a turned

Louis Vuitton's approach is to insist on doing their own brand, stick to the brand spirit, to do different things

I have paid attention to, thank you for sharing!

autumn is comming

Wholesale nfl jerseys, NBA jerseys,Hockey jerseys, mlb jerseys, NCAA jerseys and Soccer jerseys, we aslo sale ugg boots, Converse shoes, Most kind of brand glasses, sunglasses, Hats aslo

Welcome to view our site http://www.2011jerseysstore.com

I want to take out the post dedicated to the world to read, I want this post has been upwards crest, upwards crest!!!!! Top to the all people see so far!

I hope you will keep updating your content constantly as you have one dedicated reader here.

Your article is useful for me. It is a good article.

this is the most interesting post,Thank you!

In the era of leather and sheepskin is so common, can not meet all the needs of women, rare materials are so popular.

When visiting these blogs that are written by the same author, he has a lot of followers.

Gucci store each business are different types of goods

Adding this siteurl is an issue because when you want to distribute this to your customers the problem is when i change my servers - i have to repackage the wsp with the correct new site url - any workarounds for this?


Hmm it looks like your website ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any tips and hints for first-time blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.

The comments to this entry are closed.

Subscribe
Sign-up to receive a weekly digest of the latest posts from Democracy Arsenal.
Email: 
Powered by TypePad

Disclaimer

The opinions voiced on Democracy Arsenal are those of the individual authors and do not represent the views of any other organization or institution with which any author may be affiliated.
Read Terms of Use