Indeed we differ with regard to justification and winnability.Where we differ is in what each of us defines as a just reason and cause to go to war and what is winnable and what is not.
A true defense of one's homeland against invasion is a just cause for war. Retaliation strikes are not a just cause. Defense of innocents is not a just cause. We do not defend innocents at home, why should we attempt such utopian efforts globally? I believe a preemptive strike is called a sneak attack. If done by ourselves or allies its acceptable but if done against us it is not? Nonesense.* In my view, defence of self, of one's homeland and one's fellow countrymen...... And of innocents unable to defend themselves against a stronger foe...... Is a just reason and cause to go to war, whether reactively or preemptively.
Absolutely not true. We get into serious trouble when we begin to believe our own bullshiit.* And no just war is unwinnable by our nation if prosecuted with firm resolve, the full might of our military and seen through to its conclusion.
The swamp is getting a bit mucky. A rogue state is merely a political classification for political purposes. Isn't it interesting how some are labeled freedom fighters while others are labeled terrorists? While they engage in essentially the same type of actions.Even a war against terrorists used as surrogates by rogue states to wage war against us...... As a ploy to insulate those responsible in those rogue states from being held to account.
A large dose of self serving jingoistic propaganda. Does the marine corps still teach this kind of stuff or have they adapted to reality and wisdom. We don't know the true sponsoring states (if there be any) nor the true root cause. That is because we are so eager to use our presumed military might instead of our intelligence.However...... Having undertaken such a war, we must follow through and take it home to the rogue states sponsoring those surrogate combatants, else we fail to address the root cause of the conflict and will have to repeat our military deployments against a progressively stronger enemy over time......
The only country in the history of the world that possessed all three and has used them is the United States. No wonder we are paranoid about their useage.An enemy potentially having nuclear, biological and chemical capabilities...... And no reservations against using them.
They have highly motivated individuals who are willing to die for a cause they believe in. All warring countries have engaged in sucide missions, usually without telling the combatants.They have many misguided and gullible fanatics who are all too ready to act as human delivery systems. That is why we must address the problem at its source and take the war home to those rogue states who use terrorists as surrogate combatants to wage war against us.
The terrorists that you are so willing to fight represent a very small tip of a very large iceberg. They are merely agitators that can stir up hatred and other useless emotions and use it to their advantage. We are so very gullible that we step right into the trap and waste lives and treasure while the insurrectionists invest very little in their diversionary tactics. Meanwhile their recruiting efforts swell while ours dwindle.
Having read Clausewitz, perhaps it would be worth while to read Petraeus, "US Army/Marine Counterinsurgency Field Manual". Contained within are the reasons why we cannot win these types of wars using conventional military forces. Even our use of nuclear, biological and chemical warfare cannot ensure victory.
Insurgency wars are fought on the battle fields of economics, psychology, propaganda, cultural and political. We are weak in all these areas. Insurgency wars also use tactics such as: hijacking & skyjacking, hoaxes, hostage taking, indirect fire, infiltration, subversion, kidnapping, propaganda, hit and run raids, sabotage and seizure. This makes the list of potential targets incredibly large and easy to attack. This means easy to attack on a global scale and scope, including the US homeland. The only reason the US has not been vigorously attacked is simply because the insurgents have chosen not to do so, not because they could not.
Does anyone wonder why the commanding general in Afganistan has suggested that we begin negotiations with Al Queda? We need to get the hell out and every smart general we have knows that very well.
Homeland Security is a cruel joke on Americans by played by Americans.