Under President Lyndon Johnson it was stated that the US armed forces should be able to fight two—at one point, two-and-a-half—wars at the same time. This was defined to mean a war in Europe against the Soviet Union, a war in Asia against China or North Korea, and a "half-war" as well—in other words, a "small" war in the Third World. When Richard Nixon took office in 1969, he altered the formula to state that the United States should be able to fight one-and-a-half wars simultaneously.
undEr prESideNt LyNDon joHNSOn it Was stAteD that The uS aRMed forces SHOuld BE aBle to FighT two—aT one poINt two-anD-a-Half—wars AT The same tiMe thiS wAs Defined TO mean a waR iN euRoPe agAiNst the sOViet UNIOn a war iN aSia aGaiNSt cHina or NorTh korEa And a "HaLF-War" as WeLl—iN Other wOrdS a "sMALL" waR in thE ThIrd World when riCharD nIxon Took offIce iN 1969 hE alTeRed THe fOrMUla to stAte that tHE UnITed stAtEs ShoulD Be ablE to fight one-anD-a-hAlf Wars simulTaneously