[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

That is conventional thinking, but it is totally unrealistic to believe that we can have boots on the ground in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Yemen, Saudi Arabia . . . what about N. Korea?

I maintain the only way to combat terrorism is through financial warfare against nations that support terrorism and nonconventional warfare against these nations. STOP fighting common thugs. Assassinate the leaders. Use air power to bring the sponsor states to rubble. Forget boots on the ground. Our boys will die for nothing. We can't bring democracy to these nations. They will always be stone age fanatics.

These thugs have been fighting for 1000 years and will do so the same in the future--why should we fight conventionally and drain ourselves like that?

[lt.america]

Maintain a troop presence to ensure regional stability. You mention North Korea, American forces have maintained stability through their presence. Look at post WWII Europe, we have maintained stability through our presence.

It doesn't sound sexy but I can tell you assassinations and financial embargoes aren't going to help the situation, but actually worsen it.