Fighting the Last War

I just got done reading this excellent piece by Lt. Col. Paul Yingling in Armed Forces Journal. If you’re at all interested in the Iraq war, civilian-military confluence in political society, or even just want to read a well-thought-out article, read it with the quickness.

The great lesson of the article isn’t one that’s only for the military, either: if you’re not in charge, have the balls to speak up when your leaders are going the wrong direction. And if you are in charge, then have the balls to listen. Ignoring other perspectives while you bull ahead isn’t a sign of toughness; it’s a sign that you’re a damned idiot who doesn’t know how to accomplish even your own goals.