A Warrior’s View of Why War Fails: A Conversation with William McRaven
10.29.2026 at 12:08pm
Access the podcast HERE.
Summary:
In this Foreign Affairs interview, retired ADM William McRaven examines the limits of military force in achieving political objectives. The episode addresses Iran and Ukraine, civil-military relations, military culture, technological change, and alliances, centering on his warning that excessive confidence in military power can lead policymakers toward costly strategic failure.
(Dave Maxwell Comment): Very worth the 59 minutes to listen to. ADM McRaven’s central warning demands attention: battlefield superiority cannot substitute for an achievable political objective and a strategy connecting force to that outcome. Senior leaders must welcome candid military advice, account for adversary adaptation, and preserve the alliances that make American power sustainable.
Podcast
A Warrior’s View of Why War Fails
A Conversation with William McRaven
Published on October 29, 2026
