How Should the U.S. Military Fight?

"McChrystal's directive called for more restraint in the use of force so as not to alienate locals, emphasizing that loss of popular support would be decisive."

"By showing what became known as 'courageous restraint,' U.S. forces would claim the moral high ground, starve the Taliban of popular support, and win the war."

"Frontline troops resented McChrystal's mandate, believing it put them in greater danger and limited their ability to call for air support."

"Critics like Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth argue that the military's restraint contributed to the U.S. losses in Afghanistan and Iraq."

In 2009, General Stanley McChrystal recognized that U.S. tactics in Afghanistan were causing civilian deaths and risking defeat. He mandated restraint in the use of force to maintain local support, emphasizing that popular backing was crucial. Despite his aggressive background, McChrystal believed that 'courageous restraint' would help the U.S. claim the moral high ground and weaken the Taliban. However, this approach faced criticism from frontline troops who felt it endangered them and contributed to the perception of failure in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Read at The Atlantic