Wars the U.S. Didn’t Win

A naval conflict against North African pirates over tribute payments. It ended in peace agreements rather than a decisive victory.

Sparked by maritime tensions with Britain, this war included the burning of Washington, D.C., but concluded with no clear winner and no change in territory.

A rare example of successful Native American resistance, where U.S. forts on contested land were abandoned following treaty negotiations.

After American sailors were killed near Taiwan, the U.S. launched a retaliatory mission that ended in withdrawal without securing control or concessions.

A Cold War-era conflict that resulted in a ceasefire rather than a victory. The peninsula remains divided at nearly the same boundary as before the war.

An extended conflict in Southeast Asia involving heavy U.S. involvement and public opposition. The war ended with American withdrawal and the unification of the country under communist control.

A failed attempt by U.S.-backed Cuban exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro. The mission quickly collapsed without achieving its objective.

Initiated in response to terrorism, this became the longest war in U.S. history and concluded with a full military withdrawal and a change in national leadership.