Quote Originally Posted by RTK View Post
The issue isn't with diplomacy. This issue is how readily you discount the tactical aspects of such matters.
I'm working on an essay that attempts to prove that in a multi factional insurgency with a weak government (i.e. Iraq and Afghanistan) strategic success is detached from tactical success: which is not the case in a traditional binary insurgency (like El Salvador.).

(The Israel/Palestinian situation sort of fits - and sort of doesn't - but in that particular case the idea of "strategic failure" assumes that the strategic objective is a political agreement, which is why I used the word diplomacy.)

Back on topic. If you can prove that I'm wrong - and show me why tactical success will lead to strategic success in Iraq and Afghanistan- you'll save me a lot of work. It'd be much appreciate it too; the weather's beautiful and there's cold beer going to waste while I try to find time for the essay.