The competition to project the most military power is what eventually broke the USSR. The only reason we did not go to war is because of the nuclear deterrent.

The author makes a lot of valid points about seeking a peaceful resolution to any conflict. War is the last option…and should only be waged in self defense. But sometimes you must defend yourself.

Even Ghandi said any man that won't defend his family is a coward.

Navy Veteran here. I'm guessing HM right?

Regardless, changing economic factors won't win such a war. If so, Iraq would have been peaceful under $150.00 a barrel oil.

“The greatest US victories since 1945 came through non-war strategies, including the most spectacular triumph in human history that dismantled the dangerous Soviet Union and its empire without shedding a drop of blood”.
Blood was shed during the cold war, but not on an offical battlefield. And the cost in terms of treasure outweighed Iraq and Afghanistan combined.

In any assymetrical war, one of two things can bring about unequivical victory:
1. Total destruction – including the will to take out sources of insurgency (madrassas,etc) or nuclear weapons.
2. Change the economic factors. Make opium legal wordwide, or substitue opium for another lucrative cash crop.