In particular, it lacked the skills to carry out pacification effectively-or as Kissinger politely put it, the special qualities developed in a decade or more of combat training do not include discriminating political judgment in volatile and complex circumstances.
The book "Kissinger: Volume I: The Idealist, 1923-1968" by Niall Ferguson discusses the shortcomings of military forces in executing effective pacification. It highlights a crucial deficiency: while soldiers may possess extensive combat skills honed over many years, they often lack the nuanced political judgment required to navigate complex and unstable political environments.
This observation underscores a broader critique of military strategies that rely solely on combat experience without integrating a broader understanding of political dynamics. In essence, the ability to conduct war does not necessarily equate to the efficacy of peace-building or pacification efforts, which require a different set of skills and insights.
