Greatest Challenges in Translating Tactical Outcomes into Operational and Strategic Victories

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Translation of tactical outcomes into operational and strategies victories becomes a challenge when a person fails to depict the end state of any conflict before its commence and an over-dependence on the power that a military instrument used without considering the overall approach of the government towards warfare. When such a situation occurs, Western interventions start happening without fully understanding the minute details and factors of such warfare. Total awareness of those regions' populations, culture, and politics are mandatory before entering into their conflicts. Other factors that give rise to complications are maladjustment with the improper local associates in conflict and failing to observe tactical strategies with judicious proposals. Clausewitz [footnoteRef:1]made some statements in his book that the primary act of judgment that a regional leader or a politician has to make is about the establishment that gives rise to war towards which they are progressing. He said that the most important of all strategic questions is comprehending the situation by neither mistaking it nor trying to turn into something incomprehensible. [1: Carl von Clausewitz. On war (Princeton University Press 1989)]

There should be a clear idea about the war, its starting time, and the duration it will be continued, which is necessary to be in knowledge of political and military leaders. Several concerns need to be addressed before starting the war, such as what instrument of national power to be used and the nature of a particular conflict that needs a desired state solution. It should be noted by the political leaders what costs are involved and whether they would be able to meet the ends. The state should handle the war situation to suffer as less as possible in either a limited or large-scale operational combat.

Destruction was seen after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that occurred on December 7, 1941. The entire Pacific fleet required a military back up. The President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, spoke to Congress and the American people to ask for a formal deceleration of war on Japan. Congress took a vote, and almost everyone agreed on the war resolution. Nazi Germany and Italy reacted in the form of a war declaration on the United States. Here, the question of utmost importance for the US was whether to initiate a war with Japan in the first place, since it would have to bear the burden of loss of lives from either the Pacific...

There was an alliance between Great Britain and Russia, who successfully manipulated President Roosevelt to open the European front first to deter German advances. This was because Russians had relief who had a hard time stopping the Germans themselves advancing towards the East. It was evident for the US that if the Germans would not be stopped initially, they might become a bigger threat as they had vast access to the Atlantic Ocean and highly advanced weapons.

With the Second World War's commencement, when the war was declared, the political leadership instigated the whole country into war efforts. Germany, Italy, and Japan were the main enemies in this war, and the major aim was the surrender of Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany. Numerous strategic and tactical decisions were involved that encompassed strategic weapons like atomic bombs over Nagasaki and Hiroshima in Japan. This was done to achieve a quick strategic victory[footnoteRef:2]. Despite a huge number of casualties, the US became a leading force against Japan and Europe. This was possible with the Marshall plan's utilization, which is named after General George C. Marshall. This strategic success was...

…of the US to the world. In terms of casualties, the US won, but the condemnation of escalating violence was still there. Local support turned against the US, and a strategic propaganda victory of Vietnam became apparent.

One Page Outline of the Essay

The essay discusses how tactical outcomes can be converted into strategic victories with political and military leaders' guile. There is an emphasis on political and military leaders to fully understand means and ends before entering into a war.

An example of Nazi Germany and Italy war concerning tactical outcomes and strategic victory is explained. World War II is elaborated when the US became an occupying force over Japan and rebuilt Japan and Europe. The American response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait became a success, and the US started spending on its military rebuilding to be prepared in case of any further war prospects. Iraq let down 11 previous United Nations Security Council's resolutions and faced a defeat that ked to Kuwait's sovereignty, strengthening relations between the US and Kuwait. However, there were other overseas examples of the US where tactical outcomes did not translate into strategic victories. Vietnam War and the Gulf of Tonkin resolution are examples. Gulf of Tonkin resolution gave the US an official authority of entering into war with Vietnam. Still, negative press and television coverage portrayed an adverse image of the US to the world. In terms of casualties, the US won, but the condemnation of escalating violence was still there. Local support turned against the US, and a strategic propaganda victory of Vietnam became apparent.

Hence, political and military astuteness is essential for taking precautionary measures before, during, and after the war. Decision making plays an important role in this regards so that fewer losses of lives are undertaken, and higher gains are achieved in terms of…