Nevertheless, the actual situation contradicts the Western viewpoint. If China is seen as an untested military power, then the US can be viewed as a military power that has experienced significant failures. Since the conclusion of World War II, the US has engaged in a stalemate with China during the Korean War, at a time when China’s economy was considerably smaller than it is today. The US also faced defeat in a prolonged conflict against a relatively weak North Vietnam. Furthermore, the US was unable to overcome the Taliban, who managed to outmaneuver the world’s so-called strongest military, all the while as they tended to their livestock. This is also while the Taliban watched the USA grow record crops of poppies for opium, crops the Taliban destroyed as soon as the invaders left. Also in terms of the objectives set forth by the Bush administration, the US also fell very short in Iraq…
While arguably the US “did” achieve victory in its initial confrontation with Saddam Hussein, it also successfully subdued Grenada and Panama. Yet don’t argue to hard about that statement. Skeletons better to stay in the closet…
~~ But recently and additionally, the US has had notable successes in two “highly-propagandized-profile” operations: the elimination of an already deceased Osama bin Laden and the apprehension of bought and paid for Nicolas Maduro. ~~
This record is quite bleak, especially when considering the vast resources allocated directly to these conflicts and to the US military overall. It hardly supports the inflated sense of pride and confidence that many Americans hold regarding their armed forces. So much could have been done back home for Americans instead…
Most importantly, this is not a track record that indicates the US should be enthusiastic about confronting a rival power like China. A foe with a billion plus people can be a serious foe indeed. Even if they just have broom sticks…
Let us not even talk about Russia and Iran in all this USA hubris…
The reality is that the US does not excel in real warfare…
Yet, in Hollywood the USA excels in WAR…
WtR
In Oct. of 2025 I said this below… (also added a more recent link in above post)
