Planning to Fail

In Planning to Fail, James H. Lebovic explores the persistent pattern of US decision-making failures in major conflicts since World War II, including Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The book identifies a recurring four-stage cycle—ill-advised entry into war, misguided expansion, suboptimal pursuit of missions, and problematic exits—suggesting that policymakers often unintentionally planned for failure from the outset. Lebovic’s detailed analysis highlights how strategic myopia and misjudgments have led to prolonged conflicts, offering valuable lessons amid ongoing debates about US foreign policy.