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The decisions in Washington and in the battle zone broke Iraq; only cosmetic cement holds it together today. The crack started in Washington and widened early in the battle zones. The authors, who know much about law enforcement and the maintenance of order, identify those decisions. Starting with Defense Secretary Rumsfeld's failture to plan for post-invasion law and order, the appointment of inept generals and political opportunists, the confusion spawned by the cobweb of agreement woven by the Coalition of the Willing to the development of a police force that was slowed by political interference has created an effect that may be longer lasting than any political cement can hold together. This is an inside look at how the failure to understand and implement basic fundamentals in creating structure in nation building, can slow the process or even invite failure.

IRAQ WAR 2003-2011--PARTICIPATION, AMERICAN --- IRAQ WAR, 2003-2011--PERSONAL NARRATIVES, AMERICAN

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Over a thirty-five year career, the author rose through the army infantry to become a three-star general, commanding in both theaters of the U.S. campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. He participated in meetings with top level military and civilian players, where strategy was made and managed. At the same time, he regularly carried a rifle alongside rank-and-file soldiers in combat actions, unusual for a general. Now, as a witness to all levels of military command, he offers a unique assessment of these wars, from 9/11 to the final withdrawal from the region. Writing with hard-won experience and unflinching honesty, the author makes the firm case that in Iraq and in Afghanistan, we lost - but we didn't have to. Intelligence was garbled. Key decision makers were blinded by spreadsheets or theories. And, at the root of our failure, we never really understood our enemy.

IRAQ WAR, 2003-2011 --- AFGHAN WAR, 2001 --- -IRAQ WAR, 2003-2011--PERSONAL NARRATIVES, AMERICAN --- AFGHAN WAR, 2001 --- PERSONAL NARRATIVES, AMERICAN --- WAR ON TERRORISM, 2001-2009--PERSONAL NARRATIVES, AMERICAN