Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, is thought to have sacked six generals in the first six months of his war in Ukraine
Save time by listening to our audio articles as you multitaskSir Lawrence Freedman, Britain’s most distinguished scholar of war, surveys 15 different battles and campaigns. He begins with the paradigmatic case of disagreement between a general and his master: that between Harry Truman, America’s president, and Douglas MacArthur, his top commander, over strategy in the Korean war.
One of the book’s most compelling chapters examines Ariel “Arik” Sharon, the Israeli commander who became prime minister. Sharon habitually ignored or defied his superiors if he spotted military opportunities. During the Yom Kippur war of 1973, he flouted orders by charging towards the Suez canal, later refusing to withdraw from the other side of the waterway.
In Israel, where military service is mandatory and generals routinely become politicians, the line between civilian and military leadership has often blurred. In dictatorships, the distinction frequently collapses entirely. Despot-commanders are unaccountable and often incompetent. General Yahya Khan, Pakistan’s military dictator, was drunk or fornicating during key moments in a war with India in 1971. It culminated in his country’s dismemberment and the creation of Bangladesh.
The result is often pathological decision-making. “Once it was required that all decisions had to be checked with him”, writes Sir Lawrence of Saddam, “the system became drained of all initiative.” Field commanders often find it easier to conceal setbacks than own up to them. Talking to Mr Putin early in the current war, European leaders described the heavy casualties Russia was taking because they doubted his own spooks had told him.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Liz Truss rules out windfall tax as she's grilled over who will pay for energy plan at PMQs🗣️ Keir Starmer: 'There's nothing new about the Tory PM who, when asked who pays says it's you the working people of Britain.' 🗣️ Liz Truss: 'Well, there's nothing new about a labor leader who is calling for more tax.' Truss faces her first PMQs ➡️
Read more »
Snow monkeys soak in hot springs to escape cold in new Attenborough seriesSNOW monkeys, a troop of Japanese macaques, are seen soaking in hot springs to ease the stress of cold winters. The new Sir David Attenborough series, Frozen Planet II, will show the monkeys groomi…
Read more »
In war, the key tussles are often between generals and leadersVladimir Putin, Russia’s president, is thought to have sacked six generals in the first six months of his war in Ukraine
Read more »