In this episode of the Modern War Institute Podcast, MWI’s Maj. Jake Miraldi talk to retired Col. Frank Sobchak. He, along with retired Col. Joel Rayburn, authored the Army’s two-volume, 1,300-page study of the Iraq War. They began work on it in 2013, and completed it in 2016, but it was only finally released earlier this year.
Col. Sobchak explains why it’s important that the Army conducted a study like this, but he also discusses some of the reasons for its delay and why there was actually some opposition to the project within the Army. In addition, he reflects on some of the major conclusions about the US Army’s performance during the war that they drew from their research.
The study is an important piece of self-reflection for the Army, and Col. Sobchak’s comments are remarkably frank. You can hear the full episode below, and if you aren’t already subscribed to the MWI Podcast, be sure to find it on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss an episode!
Image credit: Staff Sgt. Jason T. Bailey, US Air Force