Quote Originally Posted by Bob's World View Post
They should pay us extra for these little debates...
Agreed.

No, I think we both understand where the other is coming from for the most part, it is just a difference of scope of the problem perhaps? and then role of the military?
True. I believe in the military carrying out policy, good or bad, and having no part in it's creation. To quote Gabi Ashkenazi, "Don't ask my opinion. Tell me what you want and I will tell you if it is possible."

To be honest, I don't know what works, but do know that there are many examples of what does not work (though often thought of as a victory for a time, though only to flare up later); I do believe that every case is unique to the environment, the populace, the culture, the facts, etc; but at the same time that there are enduring "truths" that can provide a context or framework for shaping ones operations.
War is a thing, so it does have a definable nature, but some very different characters, all of which are dependant on context. ...and only the dead have seen the end of war.