Powell Doctrine
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General Colin Powell made famous the so-called Powell Doctrine as part of the run up to the 1990-1991 Gulf War.
It is also known as the "Powell Doctrine of Overwhelming Force."
The Powell Doctrine simply asserts that when a nation is engaging in war, every resource and tool should be used to achieve overwhelming force against the enemy. This is the opposite of a proportional response.
The Powell Doctrine is perhaps best illustrated by his quote (as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the 1991 Persian Gulf War) about the Iraqi Army:
- "First we're going to cut it off, then we're going to kill it."
After victory, the military should leave the field of engagement, rather than staying around as peacekeepers.
It has been argued that the Doctrine follows from principles laid out by Caspar Weinberger, Ronald Reagan's Secretary of Defense and, as such, Powell's former boss:
- Is a vital US interest at stake?
- Will we commit sufficient resources to win?
- Are the objectives clearly defined?
- Will we sustain the commitment?
- Is there reasonable expectation that the public and Congress will support the operation?
- Have we exhausted our other options?
See Also
External Link
- PBS - Colin Powell on rules of war (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/military/force/powell.html)