I think Rand waited two years too long to figure that out. All these coulda woulda shoulda's remind me of the old saying.... "If the Queen had balls, she'd be King"
I agree. Sounds like something 9 out of 10 competent professionals would conclude 2 years later. Good to see this world class think tank come onboard.
I remember seeing a Marine Colonel being interviewed atop his vehicle about the day Baghdad fell smiling and telling a reporter that the looting taking place all around them at the moment was a good thing, a justified response to the tyranny by "the people". I knew in a heart beat that was a mistake. It took several more days for orders to change and our forces to start acting as police.
Oh well, something to get right if we ever do this again...