Planning to Fail

The US Wars in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, International Relations
Cover of the book Planning to Fail by James H. Lebovic, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: James H. Lebovic ISBN: 9780190935344
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: March 14, 2019
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: James H. Lebovic
ISBN: 9780190935344
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: March 14, 2019
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

The United States national-security establishment is vast, yet the United States has failed to meet its initial objectives in almost every one of its major, post-World War II conflicts. Of these troubled efforts, the US wars in Vietnam (1965-73), Iraq (2003-11), and Afghanistan (2001-present) stand out for their endurance, resource investment, human cost, and miscalculated decisions. Because overarching policy goals are distant and open to interpretation, policymakers ground their decisions in the immediate world of short-term objectives, salient tasks, policy constraints, and fixed time schedules. As a consequence, they exaggerate the benefits of their preferred policies, ignore the accompanying costs and requirements, and underappreciate the benefits of alternatives. In Planning to Fail, James H. Lebovic argues that a profound myopia helps explain US decision-making failures. In each of the wars explored in this book, he identifies four stages of intervention. First and foremost, policymakers chose unwisely to go to war. After the fighting began, they inadvisably sought to extend or expand the mission. Next, they pursued the mission, in abbreviated form, to suboptimal effect. Finally, they adapted the mission to exit from the conflict. Lebovic argues that US leaders were effectively planning to fail whatever their hopes and thoughts were at the time the intervention began. Decision-makers struggled less than they should have, even when conditions allowed for good choices. Then, when conditions on the ground left them with only bad choices, they struggled furiously and more than could ever matter. Policymakers allowed these wars to sap available capabilities, push US forces to the breaking point, and exhaust public support. They finally settled for terms of departure that they (or their predecessors) would have rejected at the start of these conflicts. Offering a far-ranging and detailed analysis, this book identifies an unmistakable pattern of failure and highlights lessons we can learn from it.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The United States national-security establishment is vast, yet the United States has failed to meet its initial objectives in almost every one of its major, post-World War II conflicts. Of these troubled efforts, the US wars in Vietnam (1965-73), Iraq (2003-11), and Afghanistan (2001-present) stand out for their endurance, resource investment, human cost, and miscalculated decisions. Because overarching policy goals are distant and open to interpretation, policymakers ground their decisions in the immediate world of short-term objectives, salient tasks, policy constraints, and fixed time schedules. As a consequence, they exaggerate the benefits of their preferred policies, ignore the accompanying costs and requirements, and underappreciate the benefits of alternatives. In Planning to Fail, James H. Lebovic argues that a profound myopia helps explain US decision-making failures. In each of the wars explored in this book, he identifies four stages of intervention. First and foremost, policymakers chose unwisely to go to war. After the fighting began, they inadvisably sought to extend or expand the mission. Next, they pursued the mission, in abbreviated form, to suboptimal effect. Finally, they adapted the mission to exit from the conflict. Lebovic argues that US leaders were effectively planning to fail whatever their hopes and thoughts were at the time the intervention began. Decision-makers struggled less than they should have, even when conditions allowed for good choices. Then, when conditions on the ground left them with only bad choices, they struggled furiously and more than could ever matter. Policymakers allowed these wars to sap available capabilities, push US forces to the breaking point, and exhaust public support. They finally settled for terms of departure that they (or their predecessors) would have rejected at the start of these conflicts. Offering a far-ranging and detailed analysis, this book identifies an unmistakable pattern of failure and highlights lessons we can learn from it.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Wizardry:Baseball's All-Time Greatest Fielders Revealed by James H. Lebovic
Cover of the book Digital Organization Tips for Music Teachers by James H. Lebovic
Cover of the book Goodman's Neurosurgery Oral Board Review by James H. Lebovic
Cover of the book Lincoln in American Memory by James H. Lebovic
Cover of the book Holiness and Ministry by James H. Lebovic
Cover of the book New Directions in Law and Literature by James H. Lebovic
Cover of the book Parent Management Training by James H. Lebovic
Cover of the book Moral, Believing Animals by James H. Lebovic
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Strategy Implementation by James H. Lebovic
Cover of the book Classical Traditions in Science Fiction by James H. Lebovic
Cover of the book The World of Andrei Sakharov by James H. Lebovic
Cover of the book Developing Cross-Cultural Measurement in Social Work Research and Evaluation by James H. Lebovic
Cover of the book Five Children and It - With Audio Level 2 Oxford Bookworms Library by James H. Lebovic
Cover of the book Anne of Green Gables Level 2 Oxford Bookworms Library by James H. Lebovic
Cover of the book Handbook of Military and Veteran Suicide by James H. Lebovic
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy