Afghanistan: When we don’t like being in a war, we turn it over to contractors?
That apparently is Defense Secretary Panetta’s plan for war termination in Afghanistan. That’s what I take away from this Request for Proposals. The Army recently did a good book on how wars end, and I’m currently reading Gideon Rose’s book on the same subject. But I suspect that what we are seeing in Afghanistan (and ...
That apparently is Defense Secretary Panetta's plan for war termination in Afghanistan. That's what I take away from this Request for Proposals.
That apparently is Defense Secretary Panetta’s plan for war termination in Afghanistan. That’s what I take away from this Request for Proposals.
The Army recently did a good book on how wars end, and I’m currently reading Gideon Rose’s book on the same subject. But I suspect that what we are seeing in Afghanistan (and to a degree in Iraq) is something altogether different: The privatization of our conflicts, at least on the ground. In the air, the trend is more from manned to unmanned aircraft — could we call this the de-personification of the air war?
Thomas E. Ricks is a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy. Twitter: @tomricks1
More from Foreign Policy
Chinese Hospitals Are Housing Another Deadly Outbreak
Authorities are covering up the spread of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia.
Henry Kissinger, Colossus on the World Stage
The late statesman was a master of realpolitik—whom some regarded as a war criminal.
The West’s False Choice in Ukraine
The crossroads is not between war and compromise, but between victory and defeat.
The Masterminds
Washington wants to get tough on China, and the leaders of the House China Committee are in the driver’s seat.
Sign up for World Brief
FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day, written by Alexandra Sharp. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.