Contrary to public perception, Israeli and Palestinian Authority security leadership work together effectively. This cooperation targets common threats like Hamas and extremist Israeli settlers, but it remains unpublicized to avoid backlash from their respective populations.
A critical flaw in the Afghanistan peace talks was the disconnect between the negotiator and the President. A negotiator must be in the room where decisions on troop levels and other forms of leverage are made; without this direct line, their efforts are fundamentally undermined.
Nations like the US and USSR prolong involvement in failed conflicts like Afghanistan primarily due to "reputational risk." The goal shifts from achieving the original mission to avoiding the perception of failure, creating an endless commitment where objectives continually morph.
For deep-seated issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, pursuing a grand final solution is often counterproductive. A better approach is to "shrink the conflict" through practical, tangible steps like building transportation corridors, which can reduce friction and build momentum for an eventual resolution.
Despite advancements in AI, cyber, and air power, the fundamental nature of warfare remains unchanged. To defend, protect, and secure territory for civilization, a physical presence is non-negotiable. You cannot achieve enduring effects from a distance; you must put "young men in the dirt."
The policy of rotating commanders on one-year tours was a critical strategic flaw in Afghanistan. Each new commander arrived believing they had the "recipe for success" and would change the strategy, resulting in a series of disconnected, short-term plans that prevented long-term progress.
The US military's effectiveness stems from a deep-seated culture of candor and continuous improvement. Through rigorous training centers, it relentlessly integrates lessons to avoid repeating mistakes in combat, a mechanism adversaries often lack, forcing them to learn "as they lose lives."