WSJ - A Primer for American Military Intervention

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Wall Street Journal
July 5, 2012

A Primer For American Military Intervention

With the heart of an infantryman, the president must feel what Churchill called 'stress of soul' for each of the wounded and the dead.

By Mark Helprin

In either 2013 or 2017, a new president will take office. The economy notwithstanding, the world will remain a dangerous place, and military intervention may yet be necessary. Of late America has not fared well in this, and the new president should wipe the slate clean, making sure that we do not fight wars that we need not fight, or lose those that we must.

Although Democrats pretend to have won in Afghanistan so they may retreat, and Republicans so as to absolve themselves of laying the foundation for defeat, withdrawal under fire is not usually a sign of success.

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