For many, Afghanistan and the lessons that should have been learned have been overshadowed recently by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. And as much as Ukraine deserves the attention of the world, national security professionals have a duty to learn as much as possible from the successes and failures of Afghanistan. To that end, A BETTER PEACE is extremely pleased to welcome Maj Gen Brian Mennes, the Deputy Commanding General, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He joins Tom Spahr in the virtual studio to discuss his experiences in Afghanistan during his multiple tours in the theater. Tom and the general served together on three separate tours in Afghanistan and their conversation focuses on the wins that they achieved along the way along with the losses and the eventual fall of the Afghan government in August 2021.
Clausewitz would say “General before you start this war be sure to understand the peace you hope to create.”
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MG Brian Mennes is the Deputy Commanding General, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He is the former Commanding General, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) and Fort Drum, New York and Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations OPERATION FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, Afghanistan. He has served multiple tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
Tom Spahr is a Colonel in the U.S. Army and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Military Strategy Planning and Operations at the U.S. Army War College. He holds a PhD in History from The Ohio State University. He completed his most recent twelve-month tour in the Resolute Support Headquarters, Afghanistan in July 2020.
The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense.
Photo Description: U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Mennes, the Deputy Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps, pays a visit to the 35th Signal Brigade on Nov. 3, 2021, at Ft. Stewart, Ga.
Photo Credit: Spc. Maxine Baen