The Gates files (VIIth, and last): Why the Pentagon didn’t care about fighting wars
Because, under reforms of the 1950s and then Goldwater-Nichols, winning wars is not its job. As my friend and mentor Bob Killebrew puts it: “I would just add that by taking the chiefs out of the strategy business, and making them responsible for building the force, they are no longer responsible for winning wars (or ...
Because, under reforms of the 1950s and then Goldwater-Nichols, winning wars is not its job.
Because, under reforms of the 1950s and then Goldwater-Nichols, winning wars is not its job.
As my friend and mentor Bob Killebrew puts it:
“I would just add that by taking the chiefs out of the strategy business, and making them responsible for building the force, they are no longer responsible for winning wars (or for strategy) but for the maintenance and support of their institutions. I suspect this is at least partly why Gates found such a business-as-usual attitude in the Pentagon, and why you see the SecDef dealing so much with the combatant commanders and so little with the chiefs. They are effectively neutered.”
Also, just so’s youse have it, here’s your last chance to read the review I wrote of Robert Gates’s memoir for the New York Times Book Review.
The end.
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.