I hear again and again from American analysts both the Vietnam War, the 2003 Iraq War, and the Afghanistan War come into discussions as caution to Israel to not over-reach in anger and just about ALL the analysts categorize those three wars as blunders, if not defeat. Making excuses like 'we got tired' blah blah are excuses: In a boxing fight, the one who gets 'tired' is considered 'defeated'. In case of wars where foreign troops occupy and then leave in such a way that those who they were fighting against, come to power, then that IS a defeat.
But some people here are more apologists for those wars then even the American analysts are!!!
Victory or Defeat in war is LOGICALLY decided on the grounds that its core objective was Achieved or Abandoned.
The core objective of the Korean War was to liberate South Korea from communist forces. Achieved or Abandoned? Achieved.
The core objective of the Vietnam War was to preserve South Vietnam. Achieved or Abandoned? Militarily possible but Abandoned.
The core objective of the Persian Gulf War was to liberate Kuwait from Iraq. Achieved or Abandoned? Achieved.
The core objective of the Kosovo War was to liberate Kosovo from Yugoslavia. Achieved or Abandoned? Achieved.
The core objective of the Afghan War was to dismantle Al-Qaeda Network or make it irrelevant in response to 9/11. Achieved or Abandoned? Achieved.
The core objective of the Iraq War was to dismantle Saddam regime or make it irrelevant. Achieved or Abandoned? Achieved.
The core objective of the Libyan War was to topple Qaddafi regime or make it irrelevant. Achieved or Abandoned? Achieved.
The latest in War On Terror is to dismantle ISIL or make it irrelevant. Achieved or Abandoned? Achieved.
The stronger side [can] produce results in war and reshape political landscapes, if it wants to.
But new power players will continue to emerge from time to time. It is up to US for how to receive each.
But US is not doing a good job on the narrative warfare front. Some Americans have worked to damage and undermine American interests by creating conspiracy theories with questionable / subjective claims in books and documentaries while others picked up on these claims to spread Anti-Americanism.
China is watching and learning on the other hand. CCP decides and creates the narrative for the country and make sure that it is globally accepted as well.
