What is the meaning of "win" when it pertains to war? What does "lose" mean?

Question

We "lost" in Viet Nam, but were not taken over by the Viet Cong. Is the war win-lose scoreboard just a big imaginary chalkboard in the sky?
We seem to be "losing" to China right now, but we're not even "at war" with them. (Thank God!!)

If we "lose" in Iraq, which I assume means that we pull our troops out before we set up a new dictator, does it mean we will be under Iraqi rule? (Just kidding....)

Answer 1

Cons like closure, they have a natural aversion to things being vague or nebulous - which is why they think the us military is the right tool to use against terrorism. It's not an easy problem to define for them, so they throw it into a bucket called war, and then define success as winning. It simplifies things for them and that makes them comfortable somehow.

Answer 2

Excellent question! I have often asked myself the same thing, especially about the situation in Iraq. Although republicans say we must stay until we win, I have yet to hear any of them actually define what "winning" is.

In China, we're not fighting an actual war, but instead a war of globalization and trade deficits which has created a slow down in the american economy. If you read Thomas Friedman's book "The World is Flat", you'll see what I mean.

Although Vietnam should've been a lesson to us, it has not been. Once the troops were pulled out of there, the South Vietnamese government asked the U.S. for finacial aid to continue fighting the North and communism, but Nixon and the U.S. said no.

Check out the link below on Vietnam.

Answer 3

Did I miss the vote on the win/lose question in regards to Vietnam?

The classic win/lose definition would entail a complete route or destruction of the enemies forces.

Were we routed or destroyed in Vietnam? At worst, Vietnam was a military draw. But we actually "won" almost every significant combat engagement. So, by classic definition, we "won" the war, lost the "will" in Vietnam.

We certainly routed AND destroyed the Iraqi Army, wouldn't you agree? We won the war, we're losing the peace.

Answer 4

First off, our goal in Iraq isn't to set up a dictator. I don't support the war, and never have, but Saddam was a dictator and that is supposedly why we took him out. Clearly, we wouldn't want another dictator in there, though it does seem like it could happen again.

Losing, I would say, is when you have realized you have not successfully completed your task. In Iraq, the government we set up, and us being there are both issues that are tearing apart the country. This was unsuccessful, obviously. And when we win, I think it is just when we accomplish that goal.

Answer 5

Win in terms of war means that we have alleviated the threat... that there is no longer a threat to us.

We won the Iraqi war within 6 months of invading. There is no longer a war there. We are now in the Reconstruction phase...

Answer 6

Winning means to be superior and in control. The American might have won the war in Iraq but it was not able to control its people to follow the government that it established. China is winning the economic war which means that it is becoming superior in terms of economy.

Answer 7

for almost all nations, losing a war means you've been conquered, or that you failed to conquer another country.
winning means you conquered a foreign country, or that you've successfully repelled an attack.

As an Empire, we judge our wins and losses by our ability to prop up and protect allied dictatorships. Our definitions of winning and losing wars proves that we're a world empire.

Answer 8

When it comes to war"winning" means you have defeated the enemy.If we lose in Iraq specifically this means America,Australia and england have not achieved their objectives.That is to get rid of the taliban and establish demoncray in iraq.On an emotional level their is neither
a "winner " or a "loser" when it comes to war.Just a lot of dead bodies of innocent civillians.

Answer 9

WIN = killing more of them, than they kill of you. Obtaining the objectives that were the pretense for begining said war.

LOSE = Failing to obtain the stated objectives of the conflict. Coming to the end of the ability to wage sustained and continued combat operations, when one's enemy can continue. Whimping out and giving up.


"War is a continuation of politics by other means." Carl von Clausewitz

"To secure peace is to prepare for war." Vegetius - c.390AD

"The objective of war is not to die for your country. It's to make the other son of a b**** die for his!" Patton

"When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move." Sun Tzu

"To ... not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues." Again - Sum Tzu

Answer 10

Lose means having terrorists running rampit all over the world beheading people who didn't believe in their false religion!
Winning means having our freedom here in the United States and all over the world!