Re: THINK!
First of all, lose the "pipeline" crap. You are smarter than the French idiots pushing this dumbass theory. Cripes, there are easier ways to get oil if that's the only motivation.
As far as the "Vietnam" analogy goes:
First, our enemies are going to find it a bit tougher to hide in the jungle this time.
Second, we don't have to pussyfoot around paralyzed by the Cold War, worrying that the Soviet Union is going to escalate its support of the other side.