"Afghan Outrage at U.S. Raid Highlights Challenges Facing New Military Push." "Now retired, Smith has writtenThe Utility of Force (2005). One of his key ideas is that Western militaries are organized to fight 'interstate industrial wars' (such as WWII), now rare, as opposed to 'wars amongst the people' (guerilla conflicts, civil wars), which are all too common. Another is that whereas Western governments use force to try to achieve quick and decisive political results, in 'wars amongst the people' such results are generally not possible."

At first I thought the US was too stupid to learn. However, now I believe the American military has been rendered largely helpless by the purveyors of expensive weapons designed to make a lot of money for the manufacturers. Americans soldiers could win a hearts and minds war, but do not have the training or equipment. Not enough profit.

This is tragic. Does it sound familiar to win battles and lose wars?

Arf