"If we want a historical example to consider for how a "long war" influences the interaction of politics and war (and the impact of chance) there are few competitors that might prove more useful then that of the war (and times where there was less war or no war) between Sparta and Athens. Too many folks think it is only useful as an example of a struggle between a maritime and a land power, or a democracy and an oligarchy - both of which, as comparrisons have their own limitations."
Wholehearted agreement.

I like two sources here, the Landmark Thucydides and Donald Kagan's Peloponnesian War:

http://www.amazon.com/Landmark-Thucy...1946508&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Peloponnesian-.../dp/0670032115

Alcibiades figures in heavily with the poor strategic choices of the Athenians here ( and not just of the Athenians, Alcibiades was a remarkably bad actor but evidently a persuasive one) which raises the question of the elite, among which both Nicias and Alcibiades were the dominant figures. An elite that sees and pursues a divergence of personal interest/ambition from "national" interest are more dangerous than a foreign enemy.

Not that I would point any fingers at the elite governing class in America...cough....ahem....cough.....