In my opinion the world would be a better place if no wars ever were fought unilaterally. If a country cannot convince friendly countries that such a grievous condition exists that war is an imperative, my guess is that the first country is incorrect.

Perhaps, had Johnson had the balls to allow the military to win the war, things would have been different in Vietnam. The same for Truman during the Korean "conflict." DougR, Hitler felt the same way about Germany's experience in the Great War. He blamed the people for the military's defeat. But I do think you are being purposely simplistic. In the case of Korea, you surely do not believe that it would have been advisable to fight China?