And two Wrights make an airplane.
Many historians have questioned President Polk’s justification for attacking Mexico (e.g., Mexican-American War). IIRC, the location of General Taylor’s troops was in a disputed zone.
The grounds for the Spanish-American War which President McKinley led the US into are also somewhat suspect (e.g., REMEMBER THE MAINE!) and some hypothesis that the explosion may have been accidental.
Both of these wars were waged on a seemingly weaker enemy, as least in retrospect, and resulting in territorial gains that greatly enriched the United States in either land mass and resources or strategic position.
I’m not defending those wars, in fact, they are among the least defensible of US wars. My point is, the US is like most other nation states in that is looks out for its best interests. Whether the present conflict in Iraq is in the US’ best long-term interests is certainly debatable, but I don’t believe that this conflict is as unique as some would believe.
Cynical? Yes, just a bit.
Damn my eyes, should have read all the posts for commenting.