Hans Delbrück and the 2001-2021 War in Afghanistan
Journal: Military Strategy Magazine
Year: 2024

Hans Delbrück’s theories represent a useful organizing framework for a look at the 2001-2021 war in Afghanistan. The West could not overcome the effects of domestic politics on policy and strategy that led to ineffectual strategies of annihilation. The Taliban had a consistency of direction and a willingness to endure that enabled their successful strategy of exhaustion.