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Why does the Army need to train to fight, when the threat of global warming looms?

As the rise of China pulls the world’s attention to East Asia, Americans are catching up on a relatively unfamiliar part of the world. Although Americans have been seeking their fortunes in Asia since the Empress of China sailed out of New York Harbor in 1784, the country as a whole is unfamiliar with the Indo-Pacific. For Americans to succeed in the 21st century, this will have to change.

Defeat can be an integral instrument of victory. War is a competition between thinking, scheming, determined adversaries. Gaining a decisive advantage over the enemy is the ultimate high-ground. Sometimes this critical competitive edge comes from losing battles—when the loss sparks the actions that lead to winning.

Replaying the video of President Bush's 2007 warning against a premature withdrawal U.S. troops from Iraq is all the rage. In the last 24 hours, millions of Americans have “gone to the tape."  But, unlike a referee’s decision in an NFL game, President Obama’s blown call on this question can't be reversed. There are no do-overs in war.   Still, Mr. Bush’s comments are more than a touchstone of thoughts about what might have been. They are worth reflecting upon, for they remind us of what's important in crafting a war-winning strategy.