Chuck Hagel is within days of looking in his rear view mirror at the Pentagon and offers advice that deserves a wise listen.  Military power has its limits.  Force alone cannot transform societies in the Middle East and elsewhere.  Always ask “what happens next? where do you want this to end up?”  Military creep is far easier than pulling back on the reins.  “You cannot impose your will, you can’t impose your values, you can’t impose your standards, your institutions on other societies and other countries.  It has never worked; it never will work, as noble as you believe the effort is.”

Anyone who’s served knows where he’s coming from.  The use of military force is the last point on a spectrum of problem resolution and you better know what it is you want after it’s over before you commit to its use.  Better far to understand what drives the conflict players and find a way to exist by agreeing to disagree or living with part of the pie or giving up some lesser need to gain the greater good. And when you step into the ring or onto the field, bring your best game, players, and plan — fair fights serve no useful purpose but to prolong the conflict and keep you from getting to an end result that re-establishes an acceptable balance.