Source: The American Conservative
by Sean Durns
“[P]eople are drawn to the idea of decisive battles. This is easily explainable; both people and places are key to forming narratives. But it contributes to the idea, popular among policymakers, the press, and the public, that a quick victory is potentially just around the corner. All that is needed is the right general, the right weapon, or a single, conclusive engagement. To be sure, generals do make a difference and certain battles are turning points in campaigns. But focusing on engagements and personalities and failing to appreciate the attritional nature of modern warfare can lead to overly optimistic assessments.” (09/17/24)
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/modern-wars-are-wars-of-attrition/