The President's mistake was not having America columns march swiftly on Damascus. Think how different the picture would look today. Still, although we are hunkered down there, to retreat will nilly would end the American Moment in history. If we cannot muster the political will to defeat a ragtag group of Al Qaeda terrorists, we will certainly not muster the political will to short-circuit the Iranian nuclear bomb program or halt a Communist Chinese invasion of Taiwan. That's why the stakes are so high. It goes to American credibility and steadiness of purpose.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
"If there has to be a Green Zone, it should be on the Syrian side of the border."
Our Stryker Brigades were built for just this type of fight. Put them on the border, get the UAV's up, the JSTARS working and whack dudes coming across. There is no great mystery here...great article.
Regards,