As a small boy, I was on the way to Sunday school in Honolulu and witnessed, from the back of an Army truck, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. I have been very interested in that seminal event in world history and have studied the work of many historians. I have tried to draw lessons from the errors made both by the Americans and the Japanese prior to, during, and after that attack. As I reflect on the recent terrorist acts on America, I am struck by the extraordinary similarities between the two attacks and the reactions of Americans to them. Although separated by 60 years, both were complete surprises; in both cases, most Americans underestimated the ability of the enemy forces. And both attacks were hugely successful in meeting desired objectives. Both incidents generated a massive sense of outrage that unified this country. And both attacks changed the course of history dramatically and permanently.
Much agonizing and criticizing has been and will be done over why we were not ready, how intelligence and security measures could have failed so miserably, and whom should be blamed. The important work, however, will be how we can mobilize our government, our military, our intelligence resources, and our citizenry to take action to make this country much safer than it is today. Doing this without a considerable reduction in our basic freedoms will be a challenge of the first order. How our senior leaders handle the next year or two will, to a large extent, define the course of world history over the next half century. Whereas 7 December 1941 was the single most important day for Americans in the 20th century, 11 September 2001 likely will be the most pivotal in first half of the 21st century.
Perhaps we can draw some lessons from Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Japan's attack was tactically brilliant, but at the operational level, it was not so impressive. The aircraft carriers were not hit. Fuel supplies had been targeted, but since the attack's third wave was canceled, these supplies were not hit. At the strategic level, the operation was a huge mistake that unified the American people as never before. And they vented their outrage with extraordinary accomplishments over the next three and a half years. Our national leaders formulated a grand strategy that demanded both the total commitment of the United States to the defeat of our enemies and the unconditional surrender of the fascist states. This strategy also had a postwar component that focused on turning the enemy states into working democracies. Our leaders in World War II succeeded on many fronts. Aside from winning the war, fascism was destroyed, and our enemies became not only democracies but also friends.
Osama bin Laden's disciples were, like the Japanese, extremely successful at the tactical level. Their attack was a complete surprise and met most of their goals (although the fourth airliner failed in its mission, and the aircraft that hit the Pentagon may have had as its primary target a building of even greater strategic significance—the Capitol or the White House). Whether bin Laden's terrorists were successful at the operational and strategic levels remains to be seen. In other words, bin Laden and his followers won the first battle, but they have not yet won the war nor won the peace.
Some things will need to be done in the months and years ahead. I suggest that a top-level team, perhaps headed by Vice President Dick Cheney, create a grand strategy to deal with the harsh realities of international terrorism. The team members will have to clear their schedules over the next few months so they can devote their full efforts in this regard. This strategy will have to be explained to, and supported by, the American people. In addition, I recommend a grand coalition of nations be held together so it does not appear that the American colossus is acting alone. Military actions against known terrorist groups and individuals must not stop with the defeat of bin Laden and the Taliban. It is right thing to do, and the American people have demanded it. Major additions to the budgets of the Department of Defense, the FBI, and the CIA will be required. During World War II we spent about 38% of our gross national product for national defense; during the Cold War we spent in excess of 6%; and as of 10 September 2001 we were spending only 3%.
Finding and eliminating the terrorists will not be easy, and there will be many setbacks along the way. The period from December 1941 until June 1942 was a terrible time for America. Wake Island fell, Guam fell, the Philippines fell, and the Bataan Death March took place. Most Americans felt helpless to stem the tide of bad events and bad news. Yet we had the confidence that we could prevail. In fact, not until spring 1945 did it become clear that we would succeed in meeting our goals. Fighting the war against terrorism may take even longer. So Americans will need to be vigilant, patient, persistent, and most of all, work together in a great common cause.
Retired U.S. Air Force Major General Smith is the author of Assignment Pentagon (Washington, DC: Brassey’s, 1993), Rules and Tools for Leaders (New York: Avery Penguin Putnam, 1998), and A Hero Among Heroes: Jimmie Dyess and the 4th Marine Division (Washington, DC: Marine Corps Association, 1998). He is currently military analyst for NBC television and CBS radio.