Posted on 10/02/2025 9:40:07 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
Although the United States is widely acknowledged as the most powerful military force on earth, we haven’t decisively won a war since the hawkish-sounding Department of War became the peaceful-sounding Department of Defense, way back in 1947.
We’ve never actually lost a war. Frankly we never came very close, not since the successful conclusion of our second and last war with Great Britain.
Still, we managed to “invite” replays of major wars. For instance, When World War I ended with an armistice instead of a decisive victory, it set the stage for World War II. By learning our lessons, it became possible to achieve a better outcome the second time. In addition to World War I, we’ve re-fought several wars, including the First Gulf War.
Today is Yom Kippur and our only real ally in the eastern Mediterranean, Israel, has fought nearly as many wars between 1947 and 2025 as the United States has from 1775 to 2025. In doing so, they’ve learned the difference between a victory and – while not absolute defeat, at least, so far – a non-victory. The United States equivocal commitment is a major factor here.
Take, for instance, Biden’s “unequivocal” support for a “whatever it takes” campaign against Gaza following the devastating Oct. 7, 2023 slaughter of more than 1,200 innocents. Their support from Biden lasted less than three weeks, blowing away like sand in a desert windstorm.
On the other hand, during the Twelve Day War against Iran’s nuclear weapons program, Israel received strong support from a very different American president, Donald Trump. Added to consistent political support for Israel, he also ordered U.S. Navy ships to provide an anti-missile shield over Israel, expending roughly 40 percent of America’s most capable anti-missile missile systems – the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) AAM...
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
Well, we won the invasion of Panama, though that was more of an oversized SWAT raid. And then there’s Grenada. But I’d disagree about losing wars. We spent a trillion $ turning Iraq into an Iranian puppet state, and spent another trillion taking Afghanistan from the Taliban and then giving it back to them. Those might not have been battlefield losses, but they are losses nonetheless.
As you point out, the article is discussing battlefield losses. You are bringing up atrocious POLITICAL losses. This is one of the down sides of having civilians in charge of declaring war, and having a civilian suddenly become the Commander of the most powerful military in human history. (And to be sure, there are plenty of historically-proven down sides to having only military folks in charge of the military. Everything in life is a 2-edged sword.)
That's a pedantic difference - especially to the enemy.
Our wars were “not won” by our politicians, not our military.
I found that “We’ve never actually lost a war” comment curious as well. Perhaps the author defines losing as being occupied by an enemy nation.
As I see it, we most certainly lost in Vietnam and in Afghanistan. In each case, our objectives were not meet. And we were forced to leave, giving the enemy complete control of the country.
It is important to note that these were NOT battlefield loses. Our military performed superbly in each case. These loses were entirely due to political arrogance and incompetence.
Vietnam is entirely on LBJ.
Afghanistan is entirely on George W. Bush.
I really don’t know which man disgusts me more. Perhaps it’s a tie. But I really don’t blame the presidents who followed them. They were just bit players.
The politicians would not let us win in Vietnam or Iraq.
Today is Yom Kippur and our only real ally in the eastern Mediterranean, Israel
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A country 47 has vowed to attack should they attack our besty new radical muslim friend again.
The bottom line is that Hegseth can be the best SoW in history in reforming the military, and it is all a moot point if the US continues to lose every fight in the long run due to issues outside of his control. The enemy doesn’t matter how they win so long as they win, and win they do.
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(Today is Yom Kippur)
In Israel 🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱 YEP
What has Iran and friends planned for TODAY?
Are they ALREADY at it, what with the synagogue attack in Great Britain?
“We’ve never lost a war!”
Vietnam chuckles and raises it’s hand.
“We’ve never lost a war!”
Vietnam chuckles and raises it’s hand.
“We’re 10 and 1!”
I guess the US didn’t beat Britain in the 1700s. They just left
Blown up, sir!
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