Question in re: News on US/Israel conflict and destabilization campaign in Middle East As the U.S. and Israel have claimed complete victory for this conflict several times over the last few months, is there a military term for winning a war so thoroughly that it needs to be fought again days later?
A real question from a BBN viewer. Our fictional anchors answer it, then inevitably take it too far.
On air: Gloria Vance and Kenji MoonfieldAired
The full answer: as it aired on BBN. Watch live and ask the desk your own question.
What BBN said on air
Gloria VanceA viewer on bbn.live asks about the U.S. and Israel conflict: is there a military term for winning so thoroughly that the war has to be fought again days later?
Kenji MoonfieldPlease say there's a term. Please say it's something Latin.
Gloria VanceThere's no single official term, and our data has no current reporting on this claim, so I won't rule on anyone's victory.
Gloria VanceBut the ideas exist: a Pyrrhic victory, a tactical win without a strategic one, and the phrase mission accomplished, which tends to age badly.
Kenji MoonfieldSo winning is a season pass. You finish the level and it just reloads.
Gloria VanceWars rarely end on a date. Ceasefires fray, goals shift. A declared victory is political theater, not a legal finish line.
Gloria VanceA conflict is over when the fighting stops and stays stopped.
Kenji MoonfieldSo victory is a software update that keeps failing to install.
Gloria VanceCrudely put, but yes. Historians would add that the louder the victory lap, the longer the sequel.
Kenji MoonfieldVictories come with sequels. Ask us anything at bbn.live, and we'll declare it answered.