History occasionally gives us presidents who understand that war is humanity’s greatest failure and leadership’s greatest burden. Harry Truman was one of those presidents. Donald Trump is something altogether different—a man who has spent his entire life confusing winning an argument with winning a war.

Harry Truman never mistook bravado for courage. Donald Trump has never understood the difference.

Truman knew that if America goes to war, the objective is not to produce favorable headlines, move financial markets, negotiate television ratings, or preserve one’s political coalition. The objective is victory. Clear, unambiguous, undeniable victory. The enemy must understand your resolve, your objectives, and the terrible consequences of challenging the United States. Truman understood that war is not a real estate transaction where both parties walk away claiming victory. Wars are won when one side imposes its political and military objectives upon another. There are no consolation prizes in war.

Donald Trump, however, approaches war the same way he approaches casinos, universities, steaks, airlines, and virtually every failed business venture that bears his name—with improvisation, self-promotion, and a pathological need to be admired by friend and foe alike. He desperately wants to be seen as a “great negotiator” even when negotiations are inappropriate, dangerous, or strategically foolish. Trump has spent his political career treating America’s enemies as prospective business partners rather than adversaries whose ambitions must sometimes be defeated rather than accommodated.

Trump doesn’t understand war because Trump doesn’t understand sacrifice. He has spent eighty years avoiding personal sacrifice while demanding it from others. He speaks endlessly about strength while exhibiting one........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)