Pakistan, July 22 -- When critical decisions are taken without complete understanding of the reasons that brought success and provoked failure, the almost certain outcome is failure. This is a theme in my upcoming book, coauthored with former United Kingdom Defence Chief Lord David Richards.

In Vietnam, Afghanistan and the second Iraq war, a militarily superior US was doomed to fail because its leaders did not heed this. And so in analysing the war with Iran, a simple question encapsulates our work: Does anyone on the US side understand Iran's mosaic defence?

Iranian leadership comprehends this reality of military imbalance: In a conventional war with the US or Israel, Iran cannot win. Its already outdated air force and trivial navy hav...