[Leftcoast]

"It's always smarter to go all-in on an objective you want to achieve, rather than pussyfoot around with half-measures that prolong achieving it and maybe even prevent achieving it. - OF "

Sounds like the quick road to World War 3 to me.  Perhaps you don't mean this as your a one-size-fits-all response.  I hope not.  

Not every confrontation, including the military variety, need an all-in armed response by the US Armed Forces.  If measured responses are out then both sides will play the brinksmanship game and sooner or later my kids and grand-kids are drafted for war in Eastern Europe, South-East Asia, or China.  No thank you.  Spend our military blood sparingly please and I am FINE with taking some time to decide if any particular confrontation is the right moment for NATO boots on the ground.

[Leftcoast]

"It's always smarter to go all-in on an objective you want to achieve, rather than pussyfoot around with half-measures that prolong achieving it and maybe even prevent achieving it. - OF "

Sounds like the quick road to World War 3 to me.  Perhaps you don't mean this as your a one-size-fits-all response.  I hope not.  

Not every confrontation, including the military variety, need an all-in armed response by the US Armed Forces.  If measured responses are out then both sides will play the brinksmanship game and sooner or later my kids and grand-kids are drafted for war in Eastern Europe, South-East Asia, or China.  No thank you.  Spend our military blood sparingly please and I am FINE with taking some time to decide if any particular confrontation is the right moment for NATO boots on the ground.