Unwise U.S. Policy in Afghanistan

“The Afghanistan Papers” are important, but they are only alarming to the extent that they demonstrate how often American leaders deceive themselves. Fall observed Vietnam War decision-makers’ inability to understand the Viet-Minh’s way of warfare in Vietnam: “To lie to others (and be found out) may simply be embarrassing. To lie to oneself about the terrifying possibilities of Revolutionary Warfare may well be fatal." The consequences of self-delusion in Afghanistan have been deadly for too many Americans and far too many Afghans. The “Afghanistan Papers” purpose will only have value if Americans demand greater wisdom from their leaders, and decision-makers generate greater wisdom within themselves. 

-- Paul Behringer and Nathaniel L. Moir writing in Real Clear Defense at https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2019/12/17/self-delusion_and_forgetting_history_in_afghanistan_114926.html