>>Sure, but let us not forget that for the most part, those policies were their insistence of doing things by the book - as in, where is the proof, and no, "preemptive" invasion of a country that has never threatened you is not exactly self-defense, the only widely accepted excuse for war.<<
this has been the *previous* advantage of the terrorist method of war....that being their belief that we had no real defense against their asymetrical attacks.
after 9-11 we recognized that preemption will and must be considered and utilized if deemed necessary to our national security.
the terrorist network was able to grow and flourish because of our reticence to not only go after the terrorists themselves, but also those countries which aid and abet and harbor them.
so the rules of engagement have been rewritten.
"Kill one, terrify a thousand."
- Sun Tzu ("Art of War")
now i wonder how many dead feyadeen litter the landscape in iraq.
and who is more terrified.
"The art of using troops is this:
......When ten to the enemy's one, surround him;
......When five times his strength, attack him;
......If double his strength, divide him;
......If equally matched you may engage him;
......If weaker numerically, be capable of withdrawing;
......And if in all respects unequal, be capable of eluding him,
..........for a small force is but booty for one more powerful."
- Sun Tzu ("Art Of War") |
