Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Warren Stupidity

(48,181 posts)
25. You lose a guerrilla war while frequently "winning" every battle.
Sat Mar 1, 2014, 11:25 AM
Mar 2014

The Vietnamese demonstrated, year after year, that they could continue to kill us in large numbers and that we could not bomb them into submission. That is how a guerrilla war is won by the guerrilla army. By definition, it cannot win "on the battlefield" directly, as it does not have superior military force. Instead it wins by attrition, by convincing their opponents that the material and political cost of continuing the war is unacceptable.

We got our ass kicked, just not in the traditional conventional war sense.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

When does it cross the line as being an invasion force? n/t RKP5637 Mar 2014 #1
The "old" definition was when foreign troops showed up uninvited on another country's territory. pampango Mar 2014 #6
This is big. But it is the Russians' "sphere of influence," as they used to say. reformist2 Mar 2014 #2
Pretty much because Iraq was a soft target cosmicone Mar 2014 #3
Our ass was NOT kicked in Vietnam. 7962 Mar 2014 #4
Well, lets put it this way, we lost that war. Warren Stupidity Mar 2014 #21
There's a common fiction. Or more. Igel Mar 2014 #36
You hit the nail on the head. TET was a disaster for the VC, but reported here as a VC victory. 7962 Mar 2014 #69
I would say that Russian military is also "only good for attacking someone who doesn't passionately pampango Mar 2014 #5
I was certainly opposed to the Vietnam War. former9thward Mar 2014 #8
60,000 dead and 200,000+ wounded without victory cosmicone Mar 2014 #10
No modern weapons? former9thward Mar 2014 #13
I think it is important to qualify what is meant by "lose".... Swede Atlanta Mar 2014 #24
One can rationalize three ways to Sunday cosmicone Mar 2014 #32
a propor analogy iamthebandfanman Mar 2014 #70
You lose a guerrilla war while frequently "winning" every battle. Warren Stupidity Mar 2014 #25
Our Revolutionary War was very similar Benton D Struckcheon Mar 2014 #38
I agree with most of that. former9thward Mar 2014 #43
Lost battles bongiver Mar 2014 #50
Enjoy your stay. former9thward Mar 2014 #56
Enjoy my stay?! bongiver Mar 2014 #62
Two posts and both insults. former9thward Mar 2014 #66
Ia Drang Part 2 tabasco Mar 2014 #52
Doesn't sound like a loss to me. former9thward Mar 2014 #58
Then you don't know shit. n/t tabasco Mar 2014 #60
Devastating retort.... former9thward Mar 2014 #61
The risk here isn't the fear of conventional confrontation.... Adrahil Mar 2014 #11
Russia also has anti-ship supersonic missiles cosmicone Mar 2014 #12
Yeah.... no. Adrahil Mar 2014 #14
Not really. TwilightGardener Mar 2014 #31
whats the 'we' bullshit pasto76 Mar 2014 #71
I'll bet it's Syria II in the administration... Junkdrawer Mar 2014 #7
I doubt Rice, Powers and Kerry would propose a war with Russia cosmicone Mar 2014 #9
No one in their right mind would advocate a war with Russia.... Junkdrawer Mar 2014 #20
Fortunately, we are neither a dying empire nor desperate enough cosmicone Mar 2014 #37
Cooler heads will prevail - your lips to God's ears... Junkdrawer Mar 2014 #76
But do look for a different reaction here Igel Mar 2014 #33
1939 all over again... hoosierlib Mar 2014 #15
I afraid we'll do nothing.... Adrahil Mar 2014 #18
So what do you propose? mazzarro Mar 2014 #27
Nope.... but... Adrahil Mar 2014 #29
Russia supplies all of Europe from Germany on east... Benton D Struckcheon Mar 2014 #41
and so, he just does what he wants. Like I said, I think we'll do nothing.... Adrahil Mar 2014 #44
There is only one thing NATO can do. Shemp Howard Mar 2014 #45
Odd remark. dipsydoodle Mar 2014 #75
Or 1938 when Chamberlain proclaimed "peace in our time" for letting Germany have a part of pampango Mar 2014 #22
Seems more like Georgia/ South Ossetia in 2008... ensemble Mar 2014 #23
surprised? this is par for the course here. Warren Stupidity Mar 2014 #26
and as long as we are talking about Hilter... ensemble Mar 2014 #28
Yes, by all means, Russia is so scary they can just do whatever they want. Adrahil Mar 2014 #30
We have a lot of DUers who are actively deployed cosmicone Mar 2014 #39
No. Igel Mar 2014 #48
K&R because this is important news. And to admit to being wrong, dead wrong on this riderinthestorm Mar 2014 #16
Props for admitting you were wrong. NT Adrahil Mar 2014 #19
Neither did I, I have to admit. Benton D Struckcheon Mar 2014 #42
Their navy is stationed there. go west young man Mar 2014 #54
I was convinced he would pscot Mar 2014 #55
Approved IDemo Mar 2014 #17
The approval was pro forma. Igel Mar 2014 #51
This will be an issue for NATO--Poland won't like this at all. TwilightGardener Mar 2014 #34
Putin wanted the Cold War back... he might have it. NT Adrahil Mar 2014 #46
I don't think he wants the Cold War back. I think he is trying to hang on TwilightGardener Mar 2014 #49
Seven years ago while visiting relatives in Latvia tavernier Mar 2014 #35
This stinks! hrmjustin Mar 2014 #40
I actually think the Crimea belongs to Russia. reformist2 Mar 2014 #47
They probably should have dealth with that.... Adrahil Mar 2014 #59
Russian upper house approves use of military force in Ukraine n2doc Mar 2014 #53
Russia needs to be made a world pariah alarimer Mar 2014 #57
Why? I have a feeling that we're not being told the whole story. reformist2 Mar 2014 #63
This is pretty much a EU vs. Russia power struggle. chrisa Mar 2014 #72
Russia Today News agrees (I know that's just awful for some to hear). another_liberal Mar 2014 #64
RT is the Fox News of Russia. chrisa Mar 2014 #73
You are no where close to accurate in that assessment. another_liberal Mar 2014 #74
Does he only need the upper house? treestar Mar 2014 #65
Yeah, just read on the BBC site that's all he needs. n/t Benton D Struckcheon Mar 2014 #68
OK, all, let's hear it for Pooty-Poot Jack Rabbit Mar 2014 #67
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Putin seeks Ukraine troop...»Reply #25