Larry, I don't think we disagree on history. Without checking my post, I think I said attempted occupations of non-western countries since the Second World War had ended in failure. Wasn't Korea a draw?

An interesting POV, referring to assymetric warfare, is "War no longer exists." General Sir Rupert Smith, commander of UK Armoured Division in 1991 Gulf War, commander of UN forces in Bosnia in 1995, and deputy NATO supreme commander in the Kosovo campaign, sets this out in his book Utility of Force.

Smith goes beyond Mao's notions of guerilla theorists (fish swimming among the people), claiming we've moved from interstate industrial war to war among the people. People are active protagonists whom both sides seek to influence; military force is rarely the deciding factor.

Winning hearts and minds is not subordinate but the chief purpose for which force is used. Kandahar chieftains and elders today debated a draft manifesto dissenting with Canadian "foreign occupiers" causing too much misery and civilian deaths---and supporting the popular idea that Taliban fighters must be called into the talks.

Seems a convincing endorsement of Smith's premise to me.

Regards, King