For the second time in a generation, the United States faces the prospect of defeat at the hands of an insurgency. In April 1975, the U.S. fled the Republic of Vietnam, abandoning our allies to their fate at the hands of North Vietnamese communists. In 2007, Iraq's grave and deteriorating condition offers diminishing hope for an American victory and portends risk of an even wider and more destructive regional war.
These debacles are not ...
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I would categorize this piece as outstanding and well-reasoned expository writing, as it presents the author's authoritative opinion on a carefully limited range of expertise. At the beginning, he expressly confines the content to the responsibilities of military leaders and the civilian leaders who appoint them. He also clearly states a three-point argument that military failure in Vietnam and Iraq: that generals have a resposibility to society to provide policymakers with correct estimates of strategic probabilities; America's generals in Vietnam and Iraq failed to perform this responsibility; and that the remedy for this crisis requires the intervention of Congress. The author does not delve into the morality of policy, or how to ascertain the right-or-wrong of an issue, but focuses on how to properly prepare and conduct modern military actions. Within the scope of his topic, I found this article thorough, very carefully reasoned, and downright brilliant. To see this piece featured in Armed Forces Journal--which offers forums for online discussions about the subject--is the most encouraging sign I've seen of the depth of military understanding, analysis and evaluation of this absolutely vital issue.
I can only think of one way to add to this story—pair it with an equally well-reasoned exposition on the moral, ethical and legal aspects of war, and what role military action SHOULD play in international relations.