The moment the military pillages an area, its ability to fight insurgency in that area vanishes. And since most of the US's wars have been of the anti-insurgency variety (barring the first few days, or possibly hours, that it takes for the full might of the US military to topple a middle-eastern govt), that would be a fundamental strategic failure.
Qwertious|3 months ago
Gud|3 months ago
This worked well in Iraq.
actionfromafar|3 months ago