In this week’s New Statesman we ask what the war in Afghanistan has achieved. Ten years in and Operation Enduring Freedom, as the war is officially known by the US government, is certainly living up to one part of its name. So far it has claimed the lives of 383 British servicemen and its original operational goals are still no closer to realisation. The British and American fight against the Taliban looks increasingly unwinnable, evoking memories of another ill-fated, decade-long conflict in Afghanistan, waged by the Soviet Union 30 years ago.
The persistent threat of war continues to loom large, with headlines just last week proclaiming that the US and Britain were making preparations for war in Iran. Below we take a look at five other misguided conflicts from history that we in the west would do well to learn lessons from.
1.Gallipoli: A First World War folly that damaged the reputation of Winston Churchill.
2.Suez: Conflict turned crisis which heralded the end of British pretensions to Empire.
3.Cuba, Bahía de Cochinos: The CIA made a real pigs’ ear of this failed coup.
5.Iraq: The war that left a legacy of death and mistrust.
Content from our partners
Related
