Quote of the Day

What keeps being overlooked is that wars should only be fought to achieve goals that cannot otherwise be accomplished. If invading Lebanon should be viewed as BATNA, then what are we to make of the reality of
the most unsuccessful war:

It is frightening to think that those who decided to embark on the present war did not even dream of its outcome and its destructive consequences in almost every possible realm, of the political and psychological damage, the serious blow to the government's credibility, and yes -- the killing of children in vain. The cynicism being demonstrated by government spokesmen, official and otherwise, including several military correspondents, in the face of the disaster suffered by the Lebanese, amazes even someone who has long since lost many of his youthful illusions.

If one changed "Lebanese" to "Iraqis," would the sentence still apply?

(Cross-posted at Marginal Utility)