Will The West Ever Win Another War?

Added: May 29, 2024

In this podcast episode, Ben Shapiro raises a crucial question about the West's ability to win wars, emphasizing that the primary goal of engaging in war is victory. He argues that all sacrifices made during war become meaningless if victory is not achieved. He points out that the West, particularly the United States, has not won a significant war in a long time, with the last major victory being the Korean War, which occurred three generations ago.

Key takeaways

🛡️

Ben Shapiro argues that the West, particularly the United States, lacks the political will to win wars. He emphasizes that without a clear and achievable end goal, military capability, and political willingness, victory in war is unattainable.

📺

Shapiro criticizes the media for initially justifying wars but quickly labeling them as quagmires once war atrocities are broadcast. This shift in media coverage erodes public support and leads to premature withdrawals.

🪖

The podcast highlights the disconnect between civilians and the military, noting that only a small percentage of Americans serve or know someone in the military. This lack of personal connection contributes to a misunderstanding of the true costs and realities of war.

🌍

Shapiro discusses the internal conflict within the Democratic Party between moderate liberals and far-left revolutionaries. He criticizes the party for failing to provide a strong defense of America's role abroad and its interests.

💼

Shapiro touches on the IRS's new enforcement project targeting individuals and businesses with outstanding tax debts. He mentions Tax Network USA as a reliable firm for navigating tax issues and reducing or eliminating tax debt.

Lack of Political Will for Victory

Shapiro identifies three key conditions necessary to win a war: a clear and achievable end goal, military capability to achieve that goal, and political willingness to take the necessary measures to attain victory. He argues that the West, especially America, lacks the political will to win wars. The public and political leadership are no longer supportive of victory in war, leading to a lack of public support for military conflicts.

The Importance of Justifying War

The podcast delves into the importance of understanding why a particular war is being fought. Shapiro highlights the need for a justification beyond vague slogans like democracy or our way of life. He explains that American interests in conflicts must be clearly defined and defended to maintain public support for a victorious war. The discussion also touches on the complexity of war, involving factors like supply chains, freedom of the seas, and resource allocation.

Media's Impact on Wars

Shapiro criticizes the media's portrayal of wars, noting how conflicts are initially justified but quickly labeled as quagmires once images of war atrocities are broadcast. This shift in media coverage erodes public support for ongoing military engagements, leading to premature withdrawals and leaving billions in equipment to enemies.

Disconnect between civilians and military

The podcast also addresses the lack of personal connection most Americans have to the military, with only a small percentage serving or knowing someone in the military. This disconnect contributes to a lack of understanding of the true costs and realities of war. Shapiro praises the members of the US military for their bravery and skill but attributes the inability to win wars to politicians, media bias, and public apathy.

The Democratic Party's Internal Struggle

Shapiro highlights the internal struggle within the Democratic Party between moderate liberals and far-left revolutionaries. He criticizes the party for failing to provide a strong defense of America's role abroad and its interests. He points out that the party's inability to dissociate from its radical base, which harbors anti-American sentiments, further undermines the country's ability to win wars.

Shapiro criticizes Biden's Memorial Day speech

The podcast references Joe Biden's Memorial Day speech, where he focused on personal loss rather than the sacrifices of fallen soldiers. Shapiro argues that Memorial Day should be about honoring those who gave their lives for a higher cause, not about personal suffering. He criticizes Democratic representatives Ilhan Omar and Cory Bush for their misunderstanding of Memorial Day, attributing it to their negative views of America as a corrupt and white supremacist system.

IRS Enforcement Project and Tax Relief Assistance

Shapiro also delves into the issue of back taxes and unfiled returns, emphasizing the IRS's new enforcement project targeting individuals and businesses with outstanding tax debts. He mentions Tax Network USA as a reliable tax relief firm that can help individuals navigate their tax issues and reduce or eliminate their tax debt.

US Urging European Allies

The podcast then shifts focus to the Biden Administration's stance on Iran's nuclear program, revealing that the US is urging European allies to refrain from rebuking Iran despite its nuclear advancements. Shapiro criticizes the administration for its pro-Iran stance, which he believes stems from a belief that America is an imperialistic force in the world.

Shapiro criticizes Libertarian Party

The discussion moves on to the Libertarian Party, which Shapiro describes as a clown show filled with ineffective leadership. He criticizes the party for nominating Chase Oliver, a candidate with far-left views that contradict libertarian principles. He expresses disappointment in the missed opportunity for the Libertarian Party to capitalize on the current political climate and present a viable alternative to the two major parties.

Legal issues and re-election concerns

Shapiro also touches on the ongoing legal issues faced by former President Trump, particularly in relation to the charges against him and the potential outcomes of his trial. He highlights the Democratic Party's growing concerns over Biden's re-election prospects, citing poor polling numbers and internal anxiety among party leaders and operatives.

Trump's Memorial Day Controversy

The podcast concludes with a discussion on Trump's Memorial Day posts, contrasting a solemn tribute to fallen soldiers with a controversial post criticizing a judge and a defamation lawsuit. Shapiro comments on the contrasting tones of Trump's posts and advises against the combative approach in future communications, suggesting that a more respectful and focused message would be more effective in winning over voters.

Videos

Full episode

Episode summary