MM&N Commentary In the five years since the terrorist attack, I've arrived at certain conclusions or lessons-learned relating to our place in the world in relationship to this conflict. I'll state them simply, as axiomatic propositions, although they really are not. These propositions are as follows: 1. The world remains a dangerous place; the US remains vulnerable to terrorism. 2. World-wide hatred towards the US has exploded due to hatred to US foreign policies. 3. The failure to detect threats is less bureaucratic-- deploying the right people-- than epistemological-- asking the right questions. 4. The people of the US will give the president the presumption of doubt-- to a point. They don't tolerate failure, quagmires, and stalemates. 5. US foreign policy cannot succeed without the broad support and sacrifices of the people. A guns and butter strategy is unsustainable. 6. Capabilities are not intentions. The mere existence of a capability is not proof of an intention. Since intentions are subjective and can shift in an instant, intentions are an unreliable casus belli. 7. It's better to not start a war than to start a war and not prevail. 8. Never field large land-based, garrisoned armies on Middle Eastern soil. 9. Leadership requires clear communication on risks, strategy, and goals, actions consistent with our values, and an undivided committment to tell the truth. 10. A basic reason for the failure of a military doctrine is underestimating resources, especially time and troops. War is an implacable teacher of reality. The links below are pages that expand on my overall conclusions.