# The Myth of Military Victory

> Military victory myths fuel endless wars with no clear end.
- Title: The Myth of Military Victory · Foreign Affairs | Shortify
- Summary: Military victory myths fuel endless wars with no clear end. Modern wars end in negotiated settlements, not battlefield destruction.
- Keywords: military victory, unconditional surrender, gulf war, world war ii, iraq, afghanistan, taiwan, u.s. policy, negotiated settlements, bargaining, world, politics
- Source: Foreign Affairs — https://foreignaffairs.com/united-states/myth-military-victory
- Author: Stephen Biddle
- Published: 2026-10-06T08:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: military victory, unconditional surrender, gulf war, world war ii, iraq, afghanistan, taiwan, u.s. policy, negotiated settlements, bargaining, world, politics
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Modern wars end in negotiated settlements, not battlefield destruction.