I'm afraid I must disagree with you, however. I remember well the missionaries' plight in Afghanistan. They knowingly put themselves in harm's way, choosing to remain in a potentially hostile environment.
I find that very different from going to a foreign country to celebrate an anniversary, prior to any terrorist action on US soil, and falling victim to terrorists. The Burnhams may be missionaries, but they were blindsided by their abduction.
The Burnhams are also not military. They depended on the military to protect them, much as I pay my taxes to the US government and expect the US military to protect me in return. I would NOT expect anyone, military or otherwise, to risk their life for me had I knowingly put myself in a hostile situation. My fate would be due to my own folly.
My opinion of the president of the Phillipines is unchanged. If she had been sincere about saving the Burnhams she would have allowed US intervention rather than worrying about losing face in accepting assistance. Our special forces are exponentially better equipped to handle a situation such as the Burnhams' than the Phillipines military.
Again, thank-you for providing this forum. You have done the Burnhams a great justice.
Unfortunately, there cannot be an expectation that the U.S. military will risk their lives for any of our citizens in a foreign country, hostile or otherwise. If an American get kidnapped in Canada or Iraq, they should not have a built-in expectation that the U.S. military will attempt a rescue. The only thing that can be reasonably expected are diplomatic efforts.
The decision to let the Philippines forces attempt the rescue was correct strategically, diplomatically and politically.