The U.S. Defense Apparatus Needs to Start Over
Chris Nagavonski
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Posted: Aug 29, 2021 12:47 AM
Every day, the state of America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan reaches a new low. American citizens still stranded in country are having to wait in line alongside tens of thousands of locals who are somehow being allowed to board planes and flee to the United States. The nation’s highest-ranking general has admitted that neither he nor other top military leaders even considered the possibility that Afghan forces would fold to the Taliban so easily. And just yesterday, suicide bombers seemingly unaffiliated with the Taliban were able to get through to Kabul airport, killing more than a dozen American servicemembers.
If the United States still commanded any respect on the world stage, the events unfolding in Kabul right now would be a national humiliation. Instead, it almost feels like a waste of effort to point out that America has botched yet another overseas conflict. Those calling for firings, resignations, and accountability are of course right to do so. But what would removing inept bureaucrats like General Milley and Defense Secretary Austin actually accomplish? Even if America could somehow put together a bench of modern-day Pattons and MacArthurs to take charge, they would still be stuck with a playbook that has eroded the military’s competence and readiness for decades. This playbook teaches officials how to wage conflicts that have no clear end state but create endless opportunities to secure lucrative contracts and grow the defense apparatus.
https://townhall.com/columnists/chrisnagavonski/2021/08/29/the-us-defense-apparatus-needs-to-start-over-n2594925
