War and Aftermath

摘要: THE UNITED STATES HAS just fought two wars against enemies thought to be difficult defeat and has won decisively, rapidly, with minimal loss of life. The military performance in both cases was impressive. With virtually no American troops on the ground Afghanistan, U.S. forces aided by local Afghan militias destroyed Taliban government shattered al Qaeda bases infrastructure that had been used plan prepare September 11 attacks. In Iraq one British, Marine, Army divisions, supported advanced precision-guided munitions, sufficed crush Iraqi army Saddam Hussein's regime a matter weeks. cases, far less successful winning peace than it war. Iraq, widespread looting rioting followed collapse Baathist disorder continued for weeks rage many parts country, including Baghdad, badly tarnished image occupying forces. It hindered efforts establish new, stable commands loyalty people. situation Afghanistan much worse. For more year after fall government, new Hamid Karzai did not command respect majority people could make its writ run outside Kabul. Warlords established themselves almost all other key cities regions roads became unsafe, violence, directed random, order day. remains unclear at present whether will possible actually legitimate Kabul--and what cost. Why United States so recent encountered difficulty securing political aims shooting stopped? obstacles way establishing polities Kabul Baghdad were always considerable. never likely road stability postwar would short or smooth. nature operations countries, however, multiplied those instead reducing them greatly increased chance failing achieve objectives motivated wars. reason this fact lies partly vision war President Bush his administration brought into office have implemented past This focuses destroying enemy's armed ability control them. does focus problem achieving objectives. advocates "new war," Secretary Defense Donald Rumsfeld chief among them, attempted simplify targeting drill. They see enemy as target set believe when most targets hit, he inevitably surrender goals achieved. War is simple, however. From standpoint good matters great deal how, exactly, defeats country looks like moment bullets stop flying. developed method warfare can pro produce stunning victories but necessarily accomplish which fought. If these represented merely isolated aberrations from mainstream developments U.S., then study primarily academic interest. That case. entire thrust current program transformation forces, contrary, implementation perfection sort target-set mentality. Unless direction change dramatically, public should expect future U. …