US wars are lost in the minds of leaders, not on the battlefield: The bitter consequences of overconfidence
US war failures are rooted more in the minds of leaders than on the battlefield - Wars are often lost not on the battlefield, but in the minds of leaders. This happens as a result of their misjudgment of their own and their opponents' capabilities, confidence replacing understanding, and confusing the past war with the future war. Such an approach is a characteristic that has repeatedly manifested itself in US foreign policy.
Experts point to overconfidence as the main reason for US defeats in wars. This is not just a mistake, but a direct consequence of decisions made without a deep understanding of the opponents' capabilities and intentions.
Leaders often rely too much on their military power, overlooking strategic and cultural differences. This leads to an incorrect assessment of the course of conflicts and unexpected outcomes.
The Trump administration's miscalculations against Iran are one of the latest examples of this trend. Underestimating Tehran's regional influence and resistance power created significant gaps in Washington's strategy.
Such mistakes are not unique to a particular administration but are a recurring phenomenon in wars waged by the US at various times. From Vietnam to Iraq, Washington's overconfidence has often outweighed reality.
Consequently, the fate of wars is determined more by the strategic thinking ability of leaders and their capacity to understand opponents than by the superiority of military technology. It is important for the US to learn from these lessons to succeed in future conflicts.