Are We Imagining the Wrong War?

A powerful psychological bias could be distorting Western planning for future conflicts, experts suggest. People often envision future wars based on the traumatic images of past ones. This bias is reinforced by popular culture, like Hollywood films. But analysts warn it may also affect some security experts, particularly from older generations. For instance, when Americans discuss potential domestic conflict, their imagery is likely shaped by their own history. The concern is that this mindset may lead to poor strategic preparation. If leaders are mentally fighting the last war, they may be blindsided by the realities of the next one.