[tooratrack]

We need to maintain current spending levels, but we need to step back from our overly-belligerent stance. We need to focus on stabilizing our currently-occupied territory, so that we can retreat honorably and securely in the fact that we have allies in the region.

We also need to really make better use of diplomacy and apply our forces more strategically. Just because we can invade, secure, and occupy a region on our own-- or with support from a limited number of allies-- does not mean that it is a good idea to do so. If we'd kept making our case with Iraq, it would've taken longer, but we could have gone in with European support-- which would leave us with much better options for dealing with Iran.

Specialized assault units, drones, and high-tech are all well and good, but when it comes down to it, these things can only work in support of eventual infantry occupation. The kinds of anti-terror operations we're working on requrie boots on the ground.