Does this signature work? Captain Phoebus 01:13, 13 October 2007 (UTC)
What about now? [[User:Captain Phoebus|Capt. Phœbus <sup>([[User talk:Captain Phoebus|talk]])</sup>]] 01:14, 13 October 2007 (UTC)
what about NOW?? Capt. Phœbus (talk) 01:14, 13 October 2007 (UTC)
Hey!! Capt. Phœbus (talk) 01:15, 13 October 2007 (UTC)
How do you like the color?? Capt. Phœbus (talk) 01:20, 13 October 2007 (UTC)
Hmm, does it work now? Capt. Phœbus (talk) 01:21, 13 October 2007 (UTC)
Now?? Capt. Phœbus (talk) 01:21, 13 October 2007 (UTC)
I think I've got it!! Capt. Phœbus (talk) 01:22, 13 October 2007 (UTC)
Fighting a land war in Asia, also said Never start a land war in Asia or Never get involved in a land war in Asia is a phrase warning against the likelihood of a successful prolonged military campaign in Asia, the largest continent on Earth. The phrase was first coined by General Douglas MacArthur in 1961 in reference to the Vietnam War. At the time, MacArthur was specifically warning President John F. Kennedy about America's involvement there. Today the advice is used more broadly and is considered to be one of the "lessons" of history."
It was Douglas MacArthur, who said it to President John F. Kennedy in 1961. It may have been coming out of MacArthur's own sad experience in the Korean War, in which he defeated the North Koreans and had the war won, but his actions provoked Chinese intervention and his forces were driven back by the Chinese troops, to an ultimate stalemate and negotiated settlement.
Kennedy seems to have taken the advice to heart, but he was assassinated and his successor (Lyndon Johnson) defied it, got the U.S. involved in the Vietnam war, and ultimately proved MacArthur right once again.
(I will note here that Iraq is also in Asia, and leave it to one and all to figure out the obvious.)
Examples of ill-fated land wars in Asia include:
- Napoleon Bonaparte's invasion of Russia during the Napoleonic Wars. (1812)
- Adolph Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union during the Second World War. (1941)
- France's involvement in the First Indochina War. (1946 – 1954)
- The United States' involvement in the Vietnam War. (1959 – 1975)
- The United States' invasion of Afghanistan. (2001)
- The United States' invasion of Iraq. (2003)
Popular Culture
editThe line was famously quoted in the film The Princess Bride in which is was listed by Vizzini as one of the "classic blunders" of all time.
The tip "Never Fight a Land War in Asia" appears in the video game Civilization IV.
References
editCategory:Political catch phrases Category:Slogans Category:Military history of Asia