Has the world ever seen this before? What does getting sucked into a losing cause look like?

First, you start by saying you are just bringing democracy to an oppressed people. You have limited objectives, no "nation building", just get in, free 'em, and get out.

Then, the conditions are:

A hostile people. Even though they belong to many different tribes, the vast majority could care less about Americans. And, according to reports, they are tired of being killed by foreigners in "friendly fire".

A hostive territory. Better known by the enemy that friendly forces. Occupied by the enemy at night, by "friendlies" only when they are in limited areas with overwhelming force.

A hostile cause. They are fighting for their traditional homes. They are not thousands of miles away from home.

A government in power only with the aid of foreign troops.

Now stop. Doesn't that all sound familiar?

Sounds like Vietnam, or, closer, the Russians in, guess where, AFGHANISTAN!

Some folks are incapable if learning from experience, if someone else does the dying, if they want a pipeline, if they owe the vig.

Arf