The Patriot Post® · Blowing Apart a Problem Is Different Than Ending It

Victor Davis Hanson: “It is popular to think that America’s threats can be neutralized by occasional use of missiles, bombs and drones without much cost. But blowing apart a problem for a while is different than ending it for good. … Obama now promises to destroy the Islamic State in Syria, solely through air power. And he assures that he will safely pull nearly all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan at the end of the year. More likely, Syria will remain a dangerous mess like Libya, and Afghanistan will end up like Vietnam or Iraq. Victory on the ground and occupations can end a problem but are unpopular and costly. Bombing is easy, forgettable, and ends up mostly as a temporary Band-Aid. If we cannot or will not solve the problem on the ground, end an enemy power, and then reconstitute its government, then it is probably better to steer clear altogether than to blow up lots of people and things – and simply go home.”