Lessons of Iraq: Strategic and Joint Implications

Research Study

1. Inept Enemies Offer Unclear Lessons

Since the end of the Cold War, America has faced weak, incompetent adversaries.
— Noriega (1990)
— Saddam (1991)
— Milosevic (1999)
— Taliban (2001)

In OIF, Saddam’s forces didn’t seem to have learned much from Desert Storm.
— Failed to preempt allied buildup in Kuwait
— Failed to exploit absence of northern front
— Failed to ignite oilfields
— Failed to interdict extended supply lines
— Failed to blow up dams & bridges
— Failed to leverage urban defenses
— Failed to employ WMD

How much can be learned from fighting such fools?

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