Perhaps. American presidents hardly dare to back off from a war, after all, without declaring an official "victory" first (even if it's not a real victory at all...it will still be called a victory and it will also be called "peace with honor"). If they back off from a war without declaring victory first, they might be accused of "cutting and running", and that's just unthinkable! The other party would crucify them! The leaders of all great conquering empires face that same problem. Once "in", it's tremendously difficult to get "out". Ask the Germans about that... It's a lot like rape, but it's far more difficult to terminate the act of war.