National Security Commentator

Powl Smith

2 articles 2004

Powl Smith contributed to The Weekly Standard in 2004, writing about national security and military strategy. His articles drew on historical parallels to frame contemporary conflicts, including the Iraq War and the threat of terrorism after the Madrid bombings.

Facing Our Madrid

October 15, 2004 · Blog, Powl Smith

READ A NEWSPAPER, watch television, or listen to the radio this fall, and the story from Iraq is the violence sweeping the country. Insurgents have stepped up their attacks, you'll hear. More and more U.S. service members are being killed and wounded every month. The international media is fleeing,…

Iraq is Not Vietnam, It's Guadalcanal

September 24, 2004 · Blog, Powl Smith

PUNDITS THESE DAYS are quick to compare the fighting in Iraq with the American loss in Vietnam 30 years ago. Terms like "quagmire" evoke the Southeast Asian jungle, where America's technological advantages were negated and committed Vietnamese guerrillas wore down the U.S. will to fight.