I recently found an interesting article describing the man
who will become our next
Secretary of State,
Colin Powell, and the
military doctrine
named after him.
The Powell Doctrine states:
"That every potential military engagement requires either overwhelming
force or none at all." And that wars should only be fought after
asking: 'Is the national interest at stake?' If the answer
is yes, go in, and go in to win. Otherwise, stay out.."
From "Yesterday's Man", by Lawrence F. Kaplan
The New Republic. January 1 & 8, 2001, p.17.
I certainly agree with the first portion regarding the level of force,
as I think most, if not all, students of
Vietnam would. The second
part seems kind of
isolationist to me and if it is to be workable can
not be hard fast and unbending. The article is rather harsh, but
go to
The New Republic's website if you want to read part of it.