And you can be sure that leaders of the US in WW II knew that as well, which is why they took a completely different approach to Germany after victory. Instead of making them wallow in suffering, rebuild the country to democratic standards and market prosperity. Because the communists were waiting for their opportunity of we did not.
Interestingly enough, we pretty much took the same approach to Germany after the victory in WWII. It was the whole OMG COMMUNISTS business that made us reconsider things.
I seriously doubt we have the will to do this under this administration. At least not until it is far to late to help.
It's not so much that we don't have the will, but that we don't have the ready ability anymore. You can thank a certain Mr. Bush for that.
Optimism is the content of small men in high places. -- F. Scott Fitzgerald, "The Crack Up"
