Washington DC –
On November 17, NDU’s INSS hosted a book launch event for their newest publication, Lessons Encountered: Learning from the Long War -- a holistic study of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that warns future national security professionals of the dangers of encountering, but failing to learn from, the lessons of the past.
The book is a response to two questions posed to NDU by General Martin E. Dempsey, 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: "What were the costs and benefits of the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan?" and "What were the strategic lessons from both campaigns?"
The event featured a panel discussion by the book's six chapter authors, who recapped the book's main arguments and addressed the difficulties of learning -- vice encountering -- strategic lessons. The panelists analyzed both campaigns from the opening phases to the onset of the “surges” in U.S. troop level. They also assessed the surges themselves, as well as the US military's ability to identify miscalculations and make strategic adjustments. The panelists also discussed decision-making, implementation, joint operations, efforts to train indigenous security forces, and exit strategies for both campaigns. The panelists concluded the discussion with remarks on legal issues, such as the use of drones and detention centers.