We did win the battle...we lost the post-conflict stabilization. We know how to win wars; we suck at stabilization.
There were too many failures in the immediate post victory environment that led to instability. The military isn't geared for nation building...there should have been post war planning going on way before the first bullet was fired. The State department (and other governmental agencies) should have played a bigger role and it should have been "war-gamed".
I don't think that invalidates the reason to go, or the execution of the ground war...ultimately, everyone will have their opinion on whether it was worth it or not...but we should have never even have gotten to that point (i.e. we shouldn't have had those failures).
I blame a lot of our issues on the so-called "peace dividend" and the under-funding and draw down of the military throughout the 90's. The "bottom up review" gutted our capability to engage in multiple, simultaneous conflicts.
The lack of adequate responses from Clinton administration (who always thumped his chest after sending cruise missiles to various locations) to REAL threats and his administration's refusal to accept bin Laden from Sudan when offered led to the events of 2001+.
No one seems to want to discuss the root causes...but it all started in the 90s under Clinton.
Just another $.02
P.S. - bought another Glock 19 today...for a measly $420 (new). Glock LE/MIL purchase program rocks! That was the only G19 I could find in Fort Worth.
There were too many failures in the immediate post victory environment that led to instability. The military isn't geared for nation building...there should have been post war planning going on way before the first bullet was fired. The State department (and other governmental agencies) should have played a bigger role and it should have been "war-gamed".
I don't think that invalidates the reason to go, or the execution of the ground war...ultimately, everyone will have their opinion on whether it was worth it or not...but we should have never even have gotten to that point (i.e. we shouldn't have had those failures).
I blame a lot of our issues on the so-called "peace dividend" and the under-funding and draw down of the military throughout the 90's. The "bottom up review" gutted our capability to engage in multiple, simultaneous conflicts.
The lack of adequate responses from Clinton administration (who always thumped his chest after sending cruise missiles to various locations) to REAL threats and his administration's refusal to accept bin Laden from Sudan when offered led to the events of 2001+.
No one seems to want to discuss the root causes...but it all started in the 90s under Clinton.
Just another $.02
P.S. - bought another Glock 19 today...for a measly $420 (new). Glock LE/MIL purchase program rocks! That was the only G19 I could find in Fort Worth.
LIFE member: NRA, TSRA, SAF, GOA
Defend the Constitution and our 2A Rights!
Defend the Constitution and our 2A Rights!