Besides the obvious modern political axe you’re grinding, the parallel doesn’t quite apply to ancient Sparta. While the Spartiates had more training and equipment, the same was not true of the lower caste armies they also fielded. The US army has great logistics; the Spartans could only afford boats when Persia paid for them to beat up their neighbors.

I wasn't really grinding an axe at all. Just pointing out the fact that "super powers" with lots of toys and training does not always mean an automatic "W" on the scoreboard. It was true in the days of Sparta, and it is true today.

What axe are you wanting to grind?

You’re saying the US lost militarily in Afghanistan, which didn’t really happen. The war was won, and could be maintained indefinitely without wrecking the economy. But the only way to win the peace would have been a century of colonialism, for a place that hasn’t been worth it since wooden ships bypassed the Silk Road.

I never said anything about any specific conflict. You're putting words in my mouth, and I quite frankly find it rude. I get to decide what goes in, it's the only decision I have as I can't control what comes out.

I don't think US really wants to "win" these conflicts. The truth may be political but I think they favor more a prolonged conflict as opposed to a quick and swift execution. They seem to "need" these encounters all over the world in order to justify the enormous military budget/spending and you cannot do that without a "threat". My .20