Mission Accomplished?: The Crisis of International Intervention

by Simon Jenkins

From Vietnam to Syria, politicians, commentators and journalists have argued both for and against intervention, whether military or humanitarian. Simon Jenkins here presents a provocative and wide-ranging survey of the history of and the arguments surrounding intervention in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria. Do nations intervene because of right and wrong? Is Western intervention simply a form of imperialism-lite ? When is intervention justified? Jenkins traces the evolution of liberal interventionism and shows that scepticism towards it came and comes not just from a growing perception of its failure. Instead, he argues that the past few decades can be characterised as an age of intervention, displaying worrying signs of merely laundering old-fashioned western imperialism and bordering at times on a crusader complex. In the face of recent conflicts particularly in the Ukraine and with the rise of Islamic State what can we learn from the miscalculations, mistakes and mendacity of the age of intervention ?"

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction, Military History, Middle East, War

216 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2015

About the author

Sir Simon David Jenkins, FSA, FRSL is the author of the international bestsellers England’s Thousand Best Churches and England’s Thousand Best Houses, the former editor of The Times and Evening Standard and a columnist for the Guardian. He is chairman of the National Trust.

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon Jenkins presents an excellent account on the age of liberal intervention of the 21st century, offering insight into the wars in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, up to the newer crises in Libya, Syria and the Ukraine. The book summarizes the author's articles and commentaries on these major international happenings as a journalist for the London Times and the Guardian from 1999 to 2014, questioning the West's role in global conflicts.

The author reflects on and criticizes the concept of drastic Western intervention after 9/11, collapsing the relative order in Afghanistan and Iraq to that of anarchy. Jenkins offers a well-observed account on the obscure political happenings in Britain and the United States which led up those massive armed operations, followed by the long and mostly fruitless struggle to maintain stability in the Middle East. Further, Jenkins sheds light on how the 'War on Terror' influenced the political and social stability within Afghanistan and Iraq, causing more issues than it resolved.

I thought the book offered a comprehensive and very reflected statement on armed interventions in general, with many interesting details on the cultures and political features within the concerned countries. While reading this relatively short work one retraces recent history of foreign policy in the 21st century - both fascinating and appalling.

Two outtakes where Jenkins proves his highly-developed sensitivity for the then current foreign affairs:

To attack Iraq when Saddam's standing is high in the region is to fan the flames of anti-Americanism and set al-Qaeda back on the recruiting path. - Jenkins, July 2002

Yet from the start of this operation [no-fly zone over Libya], David Cameron knew that if he toppled Gaddafi, he would own the place. It was no good constantly saying he would "learn from Iraq". The lesson of Iraq was, don't do it in the first place. - Jenkins, August 2011

[Olga Miret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some things change just to remain the same. For students of politics, international relations, history and those wishing to be better informed. Thanks to Net Galley and I.B. Tauris for providing me with a free copy of the book in exchange for a review.
Like most people I read articles about politics and current affairs, but in my case I rarely read whole books about it (at least not recently). But when I got the opportunity of reading this book for review I thought it couldn’t have arrived at a better time.
Simon Jenkins is an expert on the subject and this book compiles many of his previous articles over the last 15 years, with the vantage point of time and his current reflections on the topic. He is humble enough to recognise that sometimes not even the sharpest and best informed of analysts realises the ramifications of certain events. And trying to second guess what world leaders will do by using common sense and strategic knowledge will rarely work. Making good the adage that those who don’t remember their history are doomed to repeat it, he analyses the behaviour of both the US and the UK and their military interventions abroad, in light of previous history. Considering the crisis of refugees the subject is more than current, and many of the questions Jenkins asks (why have there been American and UK interventions in some countries and not others; what role plays the United Nations; what could justify a military intervention in another country, especially when it is not supported by legal arguments; is the war on terror a real war?) are as relevant, if not more, now.
There are no great revelations in this volume but the clarity of the arguments and the analysis of an expert that has first-hand knowledge (including visiting Iraq and Afghanistan at the time) give perspective and depth to the subject. Although there are more questions than answers (and you might not agree with the conclusions and the summary Jenkins offers) this volume adds to the debate on Western interventions and will be of interest to those studying recent international politics, history, and keen on getting better informed about this subject that will continue to be a matter of international debate.

[Wasil Rezk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very insightful book that I recommend everyone to read and especially for those keen on Western intervention (in any form). You will be challenged and rethink all your past assumptions about foreign policymaking!

[Joseph Spuckler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mission Accomplished? by Simon Jenkins is a look at Britain's changing role in international military and humanitarian actions. Jenkins is the author of the international bestsellers England’s Thousand Best Churches and England’s Thousand Best Houses, the former editor of The Times and Evening Standard and a columnist for the Guardian. He is chairman of the National Trust.

Jenkins opens with the British plan to rescue a handful of British citizens caught in unrest in Sierra Leone. As it turned out those being rescued, didn't want to be and were used to the cycles of unrest. Not to make the rescue mission a total loss, the troops became part of a humanitarian aid program that has spiraled out of control and lasted ten years. It seems nations never learn, Instead of backing down, they find ways to extend their stay to the point it is hard or nearly impossible to leave -- much like the US in Iraq.

Mission creep and perhaps forgetting are all problems. The US invaded Afghanistan after 9/11 as a punitive measure. The idea to capture and defeat Al-Qaeda had great worldwide support. The world expressed sympathy at to the US including Iran. Iraq and North Korea were the only silent nations. With support to hunt down bin Ladin and Al Qaeda the US lost interest in 2003 and invaded Iraq. The US left Afghanistan to Britain.

The concept of precision bombing is brought up also. Today we think of it as very precise and it is compared to Dresden. The bombing raid on Libya, intended to kill Gaddafi, failed to kill him, but killed others including Qaddafi's daughter. We watched footage of smart bombs guided down into air shafts and thought was was clean and precise. The "precision" of smart bombs and cruise missiles would seem to indicate that less would be used and only military targets would be hit. The fact is friendly fire and civilian casualties remain high. Shock and Awe was meant to terrify the civilian population. In fact in 2003, there were 2,300 civilian causalities as a result of the US lead coalition bombing.

Interventions also seem to taint our memories. The US failure in Somalia and British involvement in Sierra Leone kept these powers out of major humanitarian interventions such Rwandan genocide and Sudan. Failure to intervene is not the only problem but also criticism of success plays a role too. The first Gulf War was a success. It kept to the mission parameters and did not leave a vacuum. The later removal of the Iraqi government, its military structure, and its bureaucracy removed the entire talent pool and left no one with experience. Besides the removal of the talent, it also left those with military experience and knowledge out of work. A similar situation happened in Somalia when the government cut funding to the navy. The sailors became fishermen keeping with what they knew. When the government opened fishing to international trawlers, the former navy men were out of a job again, and in response turned to piracy.

Jenkins gives the reader a detailed look at primarily British intervention and the reasoning behind it. We see the mistakes in hindsight, but even so there was plenty of hindsight before more many recent interventions. We like to think we learn from history and do not repeat previous mistakes. Jenkins shows that we believe in out military missions and that they are not repeats of the past. Yet we are very selective in where and when we involve ourselves and many times our choices simply wrong. Jenkins takes us back to see his decisions at the time and how his opinions have held out. A very interesting perspective.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review.

This review also posted to The Book of Bogan

I am always fascinated at how the mind works, and how recent history can soon fade into a homogeneous idea. And so I think has happened - for me at least - with the events of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. I recall being very angry about it at the time, but as the years progressed, and I moved on in my life, I somehow lost that same passion and anger.

Jenkins' book is a literal walk down memory lane, stretching through a history of Western intervention - particularly focussing on America and Great Britain - in conflicts across the world such as Kosovo in the 1990s through to the Arab Spring, and ongoing conflicts in Syria.

Jenkins writes in a very relatable, understandable style, and I never felt as though I was being talked down to, but rather felt like I was reliving many of the same thoughts I had at the time.

The book was thought-provoking as well, asking questions such as why we choose to intervene in some conflicts, and not others. Ignoring atrocities in south-east Asia, and parts of Africa while choosing to intervene when it is politically convenient.

Mission Accomplished? is an engaging and thought-provoking read.

[Cold War Conversations Podcast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging and thought-provoking read

Jenkins' book outlines a history of Western intervention with attention focused on the UK.

The style is readable and not too heavy with many thought provoking questions. It questions how we are very selective in where and when we involve ourselves, with contradictions around our reasoning beyond the usual humanitarian arguments.

All in all an engaging, interesting and though provoking read.

[Toll_Road_Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this. Absolute must read. Massive insight into why we got into all these stupid wars in the last 30 years (which have pretty much achieved nothing good and cost thousands of lives)
Wow, 10/10 Mr Jenkins

[RC92 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As if it needed reaffirming, those at the helm know nothing. Savage commentary of the West’s military interventions over the last 20 years, in particular the catastrophic invasion of Iraq.