Un-Winnable Wars: Finding Victory in the Ashes of Defeat

The only pain that exceeds the loss in war, is realizing the "Hard-fought Wisdom" accumulated during battles fought, remained left behind in the ashes of defeat.

Society in mass is experiencing pandemic levels of an "inability to deal with discomfort and struggle," after loss and/or setback on all levels. However, this mentality has been rampant across history, especially when recording critical information, lessons, and knowledge from unconventional warfare. These essential lessons could not only save a future generation but guide policies to prevent future conflict in the first place.

In history, "Unconventional" warriors rise up to "Counter the Insurgency" often against great odds with limited funding, minimal leadership (with knowledge of tactics), and minimal support from the established "Conventional" leadership generally resisting change. This book is an attempt to connect the author's experience while (at first unknowingly) commanding in a Counterinsurgency War, together with the research, understanding, and application developed in the U. S. Army's Command and General Staff College's "Art of War" Fellowship Program. Analysis of the following attempts the connection: Past wars (up to Iraq and Afghanistan) and historical "unconventional" units from various countries. The origin, development, and "codification" of U. S. Special Forces and the Civilian Irregular Defense Group during Vietnam. The research of hundreds of historical case studies and in-person oral history interviews regarding Counterinsurgency.




The resulting knowledge in this book, along with other recent studies on unconventional conflict extends beyond the battlefield and military. J. J. Thomas (Olympic Medalist) and Lucas Foster, U. S. Professional Snowboarders, highlight the similarities of mindset and application to that of the U. S. military (especially Special Operations Forces) based on recent connections to veterans. Their contributions to this book in "developing, collaborating, and delivering this 'Hard-fought Wisdom'" increases the chance to keep the knowledge relevant, alive, and not forgotten.