The Colin Powell Doctrine For The U.S. Military Has Been Flushed

U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addresses troops and civilians assigned to Eskan Village Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 17, 2010. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

Mullen Recalibrates The Use Of Force -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, laid out new principles Wednesday for how to use the military in meeting contemporary threats, saying that overwhelming force can be counterproductive if used recklessly.

In a careful recalibration of well-known principles set forth years ago by a predecessor, Gen. Colin L. Powell, Admiral Mullen said the military “must not try to use force only in an overwhelming capacity, but in the proper capacity, and in a precise and principled manner.”

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More News On Mullen's Recalibrating Of Force

Top U.S. military official outlines tempered approach to war -- L.A. Times
Admiral Mullen: foreign policy is too dominated by the military -- Christian Science Monitor
Top US officer says military too dominant in foreign policy -- Raw Story/AFP

My Comment: This is a radical departure from the Colin Powell doctrine of using overwhelming force .... but from my point of view not a surprising one.

We are not fighting wars where overwhelming military strength will be effective .... nor needed. We are fighting wars in which intelligence, allies in the local community, and sufficient boots on the ground (with proper support) being the main key ingredients for success.

Mullen is only tweaking what everyone knows must be done.