“You Don’t Want To Know How I’d End The Iran War” - Navy SEAL
In a Nutshell
A former Navy SEAL argues that modern wars drag on because political and legal restrictions prevent the decisive, brutal tactics needed for quick victory, such as unrestricted clearing operations or even nuclear strikes against nuclear threats. He contrasts this with WWII methods and claims that without these constraints, conflicts like those in Iraq could be ended in months by Five Eyes forces. The speaker also highlights how prolonged engagements profit defense contractors and praises Trump's deterrence approach of credible unpredictability to avoid wars altogether.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
The modern world may be incompatible with the ugly realities required to win wars decisively. Anyone who served in Afghanistan or Iraq knows that victory could be achieved rapidly if the political will existed. The reluctance stems from unwillingness to witness what actual military operations entail.
If the Five Eyes nations (US, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand) were given six months to close out operations in Iraq, success would be 100% achievable. The constraint is not capability but permission. Clearing operations like those in Fallujah involved Marines going door-to-door and eliminating every male combatant remaining after evacuation warnings. This is the literal meaning of clearing a village.
World War II veterans did not distribute Hershey kisses. They employed flamethrowers and other now-prohibited munitions. Current Geneva Convention restrictions ban many weapons previously used, including certain mines, rounds, and other ordnance deemed cruel and unusual. Adversaries do not adhere to these rules; they employ suicide vests on children and other unrestricted tactics.
The presence of civilians potentially wearing suicide vests or holding grenades creates constant uncertainty. This erodes trust and forces operators to maintain heightened vigilance. Technological countermeasures such as see-through clothing scanners reduce some risk, but adversaries continuously adapt, including attempts to bypass TSA with smart bombs.
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