The recent conclusion of the Afghanistan war highlights the unpredictability and tragedy of war, and esteemed military expert Michael OHanlon examines Americas major conflicts since the mid-1800s in his timely book. OHanlon's unique book offers an important treatment of Americas military history at the strategic and theater of operations levels, addressing profound questions about the success of these wars, their avoidability, and the lessons for future leaders. He observes that war is usually far more difficult than expected and that its outcomes are rarely predictable.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2024
Publisher: Brookings Institution

The Recent Conclusion to the War in Afghanistan: A Vivid Reminder of the Unpredictability and Tragedy of War

The recent conclusion to the war in Afghanistan, America's longest and one of its most frustrating, serves as a vivid reminder of the unpredictability and tragedy of war. In this timely book, esteemed military expert Michael OHanlon examines America's major conflicts since the mid-1800s: the Civil War, the two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Now updated with a new preface that addresses the Revolutionary War and brief observations on three other conflicts in U.S. history, OHanlon's unique book — combining brevity and clarity with a broad conceptual approach — serves as an important treatment of America's military history at the strategic and theater of operations levels. It should appeal to students of security studies and military history at universities and war colleges as well as generalists. He addresses profound questions: How successful has the United States been when it waged these wars? Were the wars avoidable? Did America's leaders know what they were getting into when they committed to war? And what lessons does history offer for future leaders contemplating war? OHanlon looks for overarching trends and themes, along with the lessons for the military strategists and political leaders of today and tomorrow, including the observation that war is usually far more difficult than expected and that its outcomes are rarely predictable.

ISBN-13: 9780815740674
Edition number: Updated ed.