From Foreign Affairs · Stephen Biddle · · 1m 30s
The Myth of Military Victory
Military victory myths fuel endless wars with no clear end.
In brief
Military victory myths fuel endless wars with no clear end. Modern wars end in negotiated settlements, not battlefield destruction. Originally reported by Foreign Affairs.
Military victory myth
Military victory promises quick, cheap wins but rarely delivers.
Trump and Iran
Trump administration expected Iran’s unconditional surrender in February 2026.
Netanyahu and Gaza
Netanyahu sought military victory in Gaza and Lebanon in 2023.
Putin and Ukraine
Putin assumed military victory in Ukraine would end the conflict quickly.
Military victory definition
Military victory means achieving political goals through combat, not negotiation.
Myth of military victory
All modern wars end in negotiated settlements, not battlefield destruction.
Carthage exception
Carthage was the only modern war that destroyed an enemy’s military capacity.
Gulf War example
Gulf War ended with Iraqi surrender but retained most military strength.
Iraqi military collapse
Iraqi military disintegrated after seven weeks of fighting in 2003.
Taliban resilience
Taliban survived 2002 U.S. invasion and recaptured Kabul by 2021.
World War II example
Japan retained military strength after surrender in August 1945.
Potsdam Declaration
Potsdam Declaration offered Japan terms but left emperor status undefined.
German surrender
Germany retained military strength after surrender in May 1945.
Morgenthau Plan
Morgenthau Plan aimed to destroy Germany’s military capacity postwar.
U.S. policy failure
U.S. rejected Taliban peace offers after 2002 Kabul fall.
Ukraine war
Russia escalated war after failed negotiations in April 2022.
In short
Modern wars end in negotiated settlements, not battlefield destruction.
