I'm replying to your post #119 to me.
I have difficulty seeing Mexico as the 'next' war when it seems intrinsically tied to our current WOT, what with our porous borders and the inevitability of terrorists infiltrating our country. However, by the 'next war' I'm guessing you refer either to the escalating war on the drug cartels or the increasing potential of Mexico destabilizing and the massive immigration problems that would entail. I'd appreciate more information on those thoughts.
I agree that much of what we're having to deal with today is the result of the fall of Communism in Russia, and shortsighted policies in the Middle-East. BTW, when you include presidents who have not served us with vision, don't forget to include Carter.
In any event this has been the most enjoyable thread I've engaged in for some time, and I believe you are to be thanked for that. It's refreshing to read some thoughtful comments instead of the everyday 'shoot-from-the-hip' commentary one often sees.
Please get back to me on the 'next war' issue. I'd really like that clarified.
By next war I am thinking about the growing political drug empire in Latin America. The Cartels are or will be the governments down there and we will have to deal with them, too. Part of that is the problems of the gangs becoming an insurgency in the SW and in the big cities all over. These things we can't really deal with effectively while we are facing Islam until the states realize they are hurting and become willing to shoulder the load themselves. Right now there is only the glimmering of awareness in a few states. Most states and localities are still in the Sanctuary and American rights for everybody in the world mode.
I don't see some of the actions of the past that contributed to the problems of the present as being miscalculations. They were necessary in the conflict then at hand. That one had to be won even if it set up a further conflict. The error was in not following up in Afghanistan and well, that was when Clinton took the helm.