Concerning the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan:

Somebody here at work told me that if you read up on the history of empires, and the United States of America can be considered one by historical standards (the latest word for that seems to be Superpower), right before they fell they had a tendency to try to solve their problems by military means.

I don't think the war on terrorism can be won strictly by military force. It's simply too hard, and we don't have the resources. It will take diplomacy, wisdom and leadership.