DEAR EDITOR:

As the “king of peace” contemplates war on Iran, Cuba, Colombia and who knows where else, he may want to consider hard-learned lessons from past wars; despite an unpopular government, a nation’s citizens will unite furiously against foreign troops on their soil. The bravery of the Ukrainians is a perfect example, and it shames us for having abandoned them.

The United States failed to appreciate the history and will of the Vietnamese people when it sought to save them from communism. All of our high-tech weapons could not overcome their desire for independence. After we were ejected, they fought a war with China for similar reasons.

In the 1980s, Iraq invaded Iran with our blessing, supplied with modern weapons, including poison gas. Although the shah was widely despised, the Iranians sometimes attacked in mass suicide charges against enemy lines with many armed with only clubs and knives. They fought the invaders to a standstill.

On Sept. 11, 2001, we were attacked by al-Qaida, which was based in Afghanistan. We failed to appreciate that country’s historic reaction to foreign occupation, a lesson we should have noted from the British, Russian and other nations’ attempts to conquer that country. The war lasted over two decades and resulted in an embarrassing failure.

After the attacks, we also invaded Iraq, which had nothing to do with Sept. 11 and had no weapons of mass destruction. All we managed to accomplish was to kill civilians, destroy infrastructure and free up ISIS, which continues terror operations to this day. Civilian casualties from all these ill-advised or poorly prosecuted incursions run into the millions.

While failed by our political and military leadership, men and women who answered our nation’s call should be honored for their service. Tens of thousands of our bravest died in wars of choice or unwise escalations. Many more, going back to World War II, are disabled and deservedly receiving benefits and care. And the cost in treasure grows with $400 billion spent on veterans’ benefits in 2025 alone.

Soft power involving diplomacy and humanitarian projects goes a long way toward mellowing disputes, making contacts and understanding that society. But we seem to be on a department warpath, which will necessarily mean boots on the ground. If we continue toward building an empire, we risk a possible quagmire and seriously widening hostilities.

DAVID CAMPANA

Youngstown