Eliot Cohen argues U.S. defeats stem from strategic failures, not military might

He argues that the United States’ recent humiliations, such as the Iran war, result from strategic missteps—failure to secure allies, misunderstanding the Iranian regime, and lacking a coherent theory of victory—rather than deficiencies in weapons or tactics.

Cohen contrasts this with Winston Churchill’s wartime memoranda, which combined empathy for the enemy, pragmatic realism and meticulous implementation. He warns that modern conflicts are increasingly protracted, making societal endurance a decisive factor. The dialogue also touches on Trump’s inconsistent approach, the challenges of understanding authoritarian opponents, and the need for constantly revisiting objectives throughout a war.