Battle of Agincourt and Advice for General Petraeus
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Historians are battling it out over just how incredible the English defeat of the French troops at Agincourt during the Hundred Years’ War - somehow this debate is linked to advice given to Gen. Petraeus: No matter how successful an offensive, the general population must be won over in order for insurgency to stop.
Firstly, holy dumbed down history of a really complicated conflict. Secondly, what in God’s name does Agincourt have to do with Iraq and Afghanistan? Thirdly, SOMEONE HAD TO TELL PETRAEUS THIS? He should try reading some good old Machiavelli rather than getting military historians to write him a “new manual.”
On the bright side, the historians listed in the actual discussion of the debate over Agincourt is pretty much a who’s who of medieval history…
Read the New York Times article that inspired this rant
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I’m pretty sure Patraeus does not need anyone to tell him this sort of thing. He is, in fact, a world-leading expert. While I don’t doubt he can learn more, it is only hubris that leads a lay-person to assume they are qualified to say what it is that he needs.
I have no doubts that an expert (perhaps Patraeus?) can find something of value in the history of Agincourt that applies to Iraq and/or Afghanistan, but you’re right - the dumbed down version is of no use to anyone.