The Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961)

Mistake: Poor planning and lack of local support. Impact: A major embarrassment for the U.S. and President Kennedy. In an attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro, the CIA supported a group of Cuban exiles in a failed amphibious assault. The plan underestimated Castro’s strength and lacked proper air support. The botched operation strengthened Cast

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The Maginot Line (1930s–1940)

Mistake: Building a static defense in a mobile warfare age. Impact: Germany bypassed the line, rendering it useless. France invested heavily in the Maginot Line, a complex system of fortifications along its border with Germany. However, the Germans simply invaded through Belgium, avoiding the line entirely during World War II. The French relia

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