Once politicians understand the relationship between vital and nonvital national interests, it should be very easy for them to determine whether or not the American people will tolerate a military mission likely to result in US casualties. One wonders why the US political leadership and media elite have such difficulty understanding this concept. Troops are dispatched but operate under severe restrictions because the political leadership knows that casualties generate political risk. American support for the deployment soars. Casualties inevitably occur, and people raise questions about the cost of the mission.
Leadership places more restrictions upon American troops to avoid any further casualties.
Media interest wanes, and other events attract the public's attention. Americans are now stuck. The mission continues with no definition of victory and no objective other than avoiding casualties at all cost. This situation exactly mirrors the Bosnia mission. Third, we should insist upon an informed and thoughtful American public.