The topic of this thread leads you to questioning what war is. I do not believe the goings on in Iraq, or even Afghanistan, qualify. To enter into a war, you have to be convinced your very survival, and the survival of your family, your friends, city, state, and nation are at risk. When that is the motive you do what it takes. Oil supplies are not directly threatening my life, the lives of my family or the lives of all Americans. So, securing oil supply channels is does not qualify as a war.

I think the strategy has to have a longer term vision of what the world will be, and what role America will have, that extends over the horizon. Elections every 4 years cannot be the basis of a national strategy. Our strategy should extend to the next century and beyond if we want to be a major player then. The days of counting on American ingenuity or some other short term solution to secure our survival one generation at a time is coming to a close. Our enemy in this has accepted the fact that the struggle they face is very long term, and they plan accordingly.

So, the way you win this war is to understand what it means to be at war. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)