We are in an apparent lull in our Long War even as we fight to consolidate gains made in Iraq and Afghanistan. As frustrating as enemy resistance is, we actually did flip two governments from the enemy column to the friend column, and the fighting that goes on in Iraq and Afghanistan consists of enemy forces trying to reverse our gains.
Other threats also remain unconfronted. The slow retreat led by the Europeans over Iran goes on and North Korea continues to exist as a proto-nuclear power.
Yes, efforts that have always been quiet go on behind the scenes, but it really does seem as if we are failing to move forward.
So are we exhausted and unwilling to face the threats that remain as Victor Hanson seems to think (I noted this here) or are we in a pause because we have for the moment expended our physical and moral resources and are merely regrouping before pressing on?
It makes quite a difference if we simply reached a culminating point or are too tired to fight again. If the former, we will go on offense once we consolidate and regroup. If the latter, we will need to be hit again to regain the will to fight.
I'm betting on the former. But one way or the other, because our enemies still exist and still seek to kill us, the war will continue.
About Me
- Brian J. Dunn
- I live and write in Ann Arbor, Michigan. University of Michigan AB and MA from Eastern Michigan University. One term in the Michigan Army National Guard. Former American history instructor and retired nonpartisan research analyst. I write on Blogger and Substack. Various military and private journals have published my occasional articles on military subjects. See "My Published Works" on the TDR web version or under the mobile version drop-down menu for citations and links.
