How We Failed Afghanistan (And Ourselves) with HR McMaster

In 'Battlegrounds', H.R. McMaster identifies six significant arenas where the United States must compete: Russia, China, South Asia, the Middle East, Iran, and North Korea. He provides a historical diagnosis of the threats posed by each and proposes a framework for competition. McMaster argues that the U.S. has lost ground globally since the end of the Cold War due to a failure to understand adversaries' motives and interests. The book emphasizes the need for 'strategic empathy' and a clear-eyed approach to national security, critiquing past administrations for their naivety and advocating for a more resolute and coherent foreign policy strategy.

In 'Dereliction of Duty', H.R. McMaster provides a thorough and well-researched account of how and why the United States became involved in the Vietnam War. The book is based on transcripts and personal accounts of crucial meetings and decisions, and it critiques the decision-making processes of the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. McMaster argues that the war was lost due to the failures and deceptions of political and military leaders, including the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who he believes were derelict in their duty to advise the president honestly. The book is a compelling narrative that highlights the hubris, deception, and compromise among the political and military echelons during that period.