The wars of the past, characterized by their massive scale and equally massive destruction, may have led to an expectation of the same for those of the future. Such is not the case as the courts of public opinion and political capital will only abide that action deemed absolutely necessary to achieve national ends. Thus, wars have evolved from total to limited and with this evolution the gains are limited in nature as well. As the decisive nature of war diminishes, so to does the ability to claim obvious victory – winning is
The wars of the past, characterized by their massive scale and equally massive destruction, may have led to an expectation of the same for those of the future. Such is not the case as the courts of public opinion and political capital will only abide that action deemed absolutely necessary to achieve national ends. Thus, wars have evolved from total to limited and with this evolution the gains are limited in nature as well. As the decisive nature of war diminishes, so to does the ability to claim obvious victory – winning is