I think Viet Nam taught us more lessons than one.
Since WW2, Washington’s concept/definition of “Victory” has changed to “how much money can we make, and who can we offend the least”. American interests and the costs to Americans are rarely, if ever, considered. There’s always a hotspot for our MIC to pad their pockets along with the usual “feeders at the trough” in Washington.
Considering how ill-managed the various wars/police actions have been since WW2, how many would be willing be sacrificed on the altar of greed?