I recall a certain British officer being quoted (I think it was in 'The World at war') during the 30's that
"The Japanese will never make good pilots, due to being carried around on their mother's backs as children"
Now whatever side of the fence you were on, you have to agree that that's just ASKING for it.
and regarding Gepards statement, most of the world considers America (regardless of the truth of the matter) to have a lack of staying power, and that they rush into conflict gung-ho without any long term plan, like in Somalia, Iraq and Afganistan.
I know that someone has to be the one to actually do something, and I'm aware that America does a lot of peacekeeping and humanitarian work that they really don't get enough credit for, but the big stuff gets the most attention.
when you think about it, all wars start the same way. Some politicians start something, knowing that no matter what happens, they can't be arrested or charged with crimes. (Unless they lose BADLY)
Two terms and an exit strategy seems to apply here