but perhaps it doesn't matter.

For whatever reasons we choose to fight wars, spoils and acquisition does not seem to be in the mix. It seems to me the reason to fight anywhere but at home involves elimination of perceived threats and to create a better environment for those who share our values. We should avoid any situation that requires "boots on the ground". We have proven to ourselves that there is no support and tolerance for casualties and any future foreign hostilities must avoid the casualties.

The Balkans war was successful in achieving goals using only our technology. Existing and future tech will allow us to conduct a war using surgical strikes that can do what is neccessary without casualties. It will just be a matter of weighing how much force to apply coordinated with the faction on the ground that we favor. If the force required is more than we feel is justified, we should just not do it.

Occupation does not seem to be a reasonable or intelligent alternative in any situation where factional resistance is possible.