Very, very good post Bro!
In light of the history of our failings in the Middle East, I have been meaning to re-read von Clausewitz On War. It has been nagging at me that we have misaligned military objectives with the intrinsic nature of war to affect policy.
MG McMaster said as much. He also calls into question the thinking behind the use of drones and cruise missiles as a strategic weapons. You can throw in limited air strikes into that category too. Now, where have I heard that proposed recently?
The other point I found interesting is the emphasis on the human domain. This was recently discussed elsewhere and is a point of emphasis for the SOF mission as being defined by ADM McRaven.
Good stuff right there Richard!