This - along with the politicians lied, the intel community lied, etc - has been a mantra repeated the last few days on cable news and in print media. 1/
There were certainly LOTS of mistakes over the 20 years of the Afghan war, as outlined in several official governmental reports and well-researched news articles.
There were likely some - many? - mistakes, and maybe even some coverups, corruption, or misleading testimony. 2/
But I'll go on a limb & say the vast majority of leaders - senior, junior, officer & NCOs; governmental officials & reps of State & USAID; reps from the intel community - who served in AFG did the very best they could to serve that nation and its people & represented the US. 3/
"My" war was Iraq. But I visited troops in Afghanistan - US and allied - several times. While I was a "visitor," my view was was based on experience. And those I saw who served there were doing the very best they could to accomplish the mission they were assigned. 4/
Over 20 years, missions changed - expanding and contracting - based on surge decisions & attempts to turn corners. Those leading attempted to understand the culture, the people, the politicians...but that was exceedingly hard.
Most got it right, like LTG Scap, some didn't. 5/
That's the nature of human conflict. It's harsh, complex, confusing. And the nature of a complex insurgency, with counter-terror requirements and an emerging government trying to gain control of a culturally diverse country, is exceedingly difficult. 6/
As I said, my war was Iraq. Having spent several tours there, each tour was different.
The first was conventional warfare. The second was a tough nascent insurgency. The third was working with a growing Iraqi national security organization: army, police, border patrol 7/
All were difficult. When congressional delegations visited, I gave unvarnished reports. Told them which Iraqi divisions sucked, which were doing well, the emerging nation of an untrained police force, a bad Iraqi border patrol
I can honestly say I never "lied" or misled 8/
When ISIS formed, my "bad" Iraqi division folded, the 2 "good" divisions fought then folded, the 1 great division fought to the death. And the Kurds I worked with kicked ass.
Like Afghan vets today, I followed their every move. Cried at the reports of death & failure. 9/
This is a very tough time for Afghanistan, its soldiers, its people...and it's especially tough for those Americans who fought & served alongside the Afghan force and it's people. 10/
The next few days of this NEO (non combatant evacuation operation) will be hard. Likely harder than even the first few days.
But pundits & media ought slow their roll a bit on generalizing & commenting on the honor of those who gave part of their lives in that country. 11/end
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Woke up to several texts from journalists asking my thoughts on "West Point dropping duty, honor, country from their motto?" and one wrote "does this mean the Academy has gone 'woke'?"
My first thought: "let me get a cup of coffee before addressing this craziness."
A 🧵 1/9
This week, graduates received a letter from LTG Steve Gilland -the Superintendent (the USMA college president)- of @WestPoint_USMA informing of changes in the MISSION STATEMENT (NOT the motto).
The letter specifically said the MOTTO "Duty, Honor, Country" has NOT changed. 2/
Now, I know LTG Gilland well. He's a great soldier, terrific leader, and a common-sense guy.
As any leader - general or business CEO - knows, you have to continuously assess and analyze your mission statement.
In fact, I teach this to MBA students in leadership classes. 3/
Many of you have heard me say this multiple times with respect to the war in Ukraine.
Now we'll start seeing the same in Gaza with JLTOTS pronounced "Jay-Lots" for the media).
A 🧵 1/9
"Logistics determine the art of the possible."
Many of you have heard me say this multiple times with respect to the war in Ukraine.
Now we'll start seeing the same in Gaza with JLTOTS pronounced "Jay-Lots" for the media).
A 🧵 1/9
Airdropped humanitarian aid is precise and speedy, but it's limited in it's capability and capacity for certain kinds and large amounts of supplies. It's also relatively expensive.After you deploy expensive parachutes and GPS devices into the area, it's hard to get them back! 3/
On 24 Feb 2022, I scribbled some thoughts about what I believed were Putin's strategic objectives in invading Ukraine (see chart).
In the 1st 18 months of the conflict, Ukraines' action, NATO collaboration & US support caused him to fail.
We're at an inflection point. A 🧵1/
Addressing each: 1. Zelenskyy is still strong 2. Ukraine's army is still fighting 3. Ukraine's population is resilient 4. Ru does not control the Black sea ports 5. The west - especially the US - has returned to being divided, and NATO may now take fewer risks. 2/
Putin now knows that Ukraine's continued capability will - for the short term - continue to require support from the west.
So he is pulling out all stops, w/ mobilizations (over 400k new (untrained) soldiers as "meat" for attacks), a ramped up industrial base, & oppression. 3/
GEN Zaluzhnyi is 51 y.o., extremely young for a Commander of any nation's Armed Forces. Most 4-star generals are in their 60's with much more experience.
Since Feb '22 he's been the tactical, opn'l & strategic leader of the toughest fight we've seen in the 21st century. 2/
Here's what I mean by "tactical, opn'l, strategic" commander:
1. He commands the 2000+ mile tactical front 2. He coordinates each battles into an operational campaign plan 3. He "plays" in the strategic arena with his nation's leaders & over 50 supporting nations. 3/
Deterrence defined: The action or actions used to discourage an event by means of instilling doubt or fear of the consequences over time.
Many say deterrence against Iran & its proxies is failing.
It's too early to tell. 1/8
DETERRENCE is one technique that MAY contribute to national security strategy.
Some define strategy as the use of different MEANS in specific WAYS to reach on END STATE or OBJECTIVE.
I agree with that definition...and it's sorta like deterrence. 2/
In National Security Strategy, MEANS equates to difference tools at the nation's disposal (diplomancy, information, economics, military). WAYS is the approach you use to make those tools effective (think maneuver with military, economic sanctions, condemning actions, etc). 3/