[December 7, 2021] Eighty years ago, a surprise attack on the U.S. base at Pearl Harbor brought a neutral United States into World War II. Today, we read about the attack and see that America got caught wholly unprepared.
Historian Roberta Wohlstetter tells us, in a thorough analysis of the surprise attack, that U.S. intelligence was, in fact, aware of Japan’s threat toward Americans in the Pacific. She writes that policymakers in our government never correctly pieced the intelligence montage together.1
A similar pattern of intelligence agency failures and political lack of will persists today.
Here is another lesson – an important lesson – that continues to remain unlearned.
- America’s senior military and political leaders consistently fail to anticipate and avert surprise attacks from a strategic level.
A few years ago2, I wrote about three strategic lessons we failed to learn from the attack on Pearl Harbor:
- Know your enemy and never underestimate him.
- Political and social unanimity is a powerful force.
- The signs of war are often generally visible for all to see well ahead of time.
America remains a target because we are a shining beacon for freedom for the individual. We are the only powerful nation standing against total world domination by powers that would crush individual freedom. Human nature has changed little from when nations/city-states waged war to gain an advantage. It’s happening now.
America is not ready for a fight. Russia and China are malevolent actors seeking to fundamentally change the world system away from the U.S.-led order that raised the standard of living for most nations and help establish more freedom than ever. These autocracies want to create a world where their leaders live in luxury and the people are subjects to be used.
Everywhere, the United States shows its tactical and strategic weakness and weakness is provocative. Strength deters.
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor did not happen in a vacuum. It occurred because of the decisions by arrogant and ignorant politicians who could not envision a surprise attack at the strategic level.
America must not again sacrifice its moral position. This change will require a rejection of current politics in Washington, DC.
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- https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-Harbor-Decision-Roberta-Wohlstetter/dp/0804705984
- https://www.theleadermaker.com/pearl-harbor-lessons-from-the-attack/
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Please read my new book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” at Amazon (link here).
America is not a beacon of freedom in the world. It is a capitalist nation that exploits the worker. America is built on their backs.
Hi Commie Red. It is good to have you here and to read your antiquated Marxist ideology. Yes, I know that communism is having a resurgence, esp in the US. The reason is that it sounds soooo wonderful. In application, communism causes great misery. That is the lesson of the 20th century and upon the dead bodies of more than 100 million people; mostly in Europe and Asia. Communism is a failed ideology, not matter how great you package the evil, it is still evil.
Good points Max but you know you cannot change the religion of Communism any easier than changing the sun’s path. But, I agree fully that we should push back, always always always.
Commie, why don’t you just post the three main advantages of Communism? No? I understand why, because there are none.
Commie Red, gee, at least give us something other than the old playcard of “exploiting the worker.” That dog don’t hunt no more.
“America must not again sacrifice its moral position. This change will require a rejection of current politics in Washington, DC.” – Gen. Satterfield.
Powerful!
On-target!
Never forget!
You go girl. That’s it. Reject the commie Joe Biden who has been bought and paid for by China’s Communist Party.
Pearl Harbor, forget about what happened and why and you will fail. But, first we must know what happened and why and not have our reading of the event to be wrong. Many historians have misrepresented what happened and then we cannot learn the real lessons.
Another spot-on article. Thanks.
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Great to wake up and read this blog as I drink my coffee, have jellied toast, and put on my running outfit. Now, out for a quick run to cleanse the brain.
One of the reasons I keep coming back to this website is to read about those who Gen. Satterfield has as friends and their struggles too. And, their accomplishments and what I can learn from them. We are given an opportunity to learn, just read and apply those principles given to us.
As, Gen. Satterfield has written, history is not about learning about the past for the sake of learning dates, figures, and events. Learning history is about using the past to make our future better. Great comments like this from Gen. Satterfield is what helps make us better, if only we pay attention and follow his recommendations.
Agreed, Rev Cain. This website is a gem. Read and learn. Learn to write, and then you can think.
Excellent points Rev Cain and Tom. If we ignore the past, we are bound to repeat it (both the good and the bad). Those smart leaders are the ones that learn the bad and reject going down that path.
Well said, folks. Thanks. Discovering this website has been a positive experience for me and my friends. They often ask me to ask questions. And, I always get good answers. Well done, Gen. S. Much appreciated.
Right, Gen. Satterfield, it’s not just remembering Pearl Harbor but what we should learn from it.