"We should have done more damage to the Iraqi forces before they withdrew from the Kuwaiti theater"

The quote by Les Aspin suggests that the military action taken against Iraqi forces during the Gulf War was not sufficient enough. Aspin implies that the Iraqi forces must have suffered higher losses prior to they withdrew from the Kuwaiti theater. This recommends that the US military leadership might have ignored the strength and resilience of the Iraqi military, leading to a lack of preparation for a sustained conflict. Additionally, Aspin's statement could suggest disappointment that the United States did not completely capitalize on their military benefit, leading to a less decisive success for the coalition forces. Overall, Aspin's declaration recommends that there was a missed opportunity to more effectively beat the enemy's forces throughout the Gulf War.