Don’t bring your allies to the surface and then fail to protect them from their foes
We need to redefine victory: It is not just removing the enemy, it is achieving the objective.
The British did it in the American Revolution. We did it in Iraq. I don’t know if we did it in Afghanistan, but I wouldn’t be surprised.
In a ring around New York and northern New Jersey, the British had Loyalists take loyalty oaths, which later were used against them by Revolutionaries. “As the war progressed, the British field generals time and again undermined the loyalists or used them ineffectively by not holding the ground the army had taken.”
This is more than inattentiveness. In a war for the support of the people, it is doing the job of the enemy.
The British did it in the American Revolution. We did it in Iraq. I don’t know if we did it in Afghanistan, but I wouldn’t be surprised.
In a ring around New York and northern New Jersey, the British had Loyalists take loyalty oaths, which later were used against them by Revolutionaries. “As the war progressed, the British field generals time and again undermined the loyalists or used them ineffectively by not holding the ground the army had taken.”
This is more than inattentiveness. In a war for the support of the people, it is doing the job of the enemy.
We need to redefine victory: It is not just removing the enemy, it is achieving the objective. You have not won if your military operations just make potential supporters more vulnerable.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
More from Foreign Policy
Is Cold War Inevitable?
A new biography of George Kennan, the father of containment, raises questions about whether the old Cold War—and the emerging one with China—could have been avoided.
So You Want to Buy an Ambassadorship
The United States is the only Western government that routinely rewards mega-donors with top diplomatic posts.
Can China Pull Off Its Charm Offensive?
Why Beijing’s foreign-policy reset will—or won’t—work out.
Turkey’s Problem Isn’t Sweden. It’s the United States.
Erdogan has focused on Stockholm’s stance toward Kurdish exile groups, but Ankara’s real demand is the end of U.S. support for Kurds in Syria.
Sign up for Morning Brief
Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter with what’s coming up around the world today. 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.
