How not to war

Abstract While the Cold War seemingly ended prospect of nuclear annihilation, in West it also brought about renewed belief utility force. A warming international political environment and developments precision technology (as demonstrated by 1990–91 Gulf War) appeared to create a permissive which western states, particularly United States, armed with smart weapons, resolutions capacity engage anywhere whenever they want to—and all at low cost—could bring improvements some most desperate war-torn places on planet. Nations who possessed large, technologically precise sophisticated hammer could suddenly view world problems as convenient, easily fixed nails. The end result this vision, however, has been disaster—resulting flawed intervention after failed intervention, including Somalia, Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq Libya. Indeed, these supposedly ‘easy wars’ have become ‘forever wars’. question is: why continually learn lesson? This article explores how chaos that ensues wake war’ conflicts reinforced tendency within Washington policy-circles utilize weapons are more automated and/or remove individuals from battlefield entirely. lesson cannot conquer ‘fog costless victory or replace hard work politics diplomacy is never learned. And even President Joe Biden's administration begins pivot towards Russia Asia, likely will endure.