It is reasonable to expect these candidates to discuss and debate how long we are willing to put our troops in harm's way, at what cost in treasure and with what consequences.
After all, wars cost blood, treasure and, sometimes, national honor.
All too often, lots of American service men and women do end up dying or being maimed in these undeclared wars, and often the cost in treasure is extremely high -- as in the case of Afghanistan and Iraq.
Moreover, Israel has failed to demonstrate, especially since 2000, how the occupation has in any way enhanced its national security, when in fact it has promoted further enmity, instability and violence, not to mention the astronomical cost in treasure and blood.
Since the United States and Iran became sworn enemies after the 1979 revolution, America's military wishes have by and large been carried out by Arab proxies, often at great cost in blood, treasure and stability.
Unfortunately, Washington's policy makers and too much of the public have such obsessive faith in America's generals and in our military that they are blind to the likelihood that achieving any kind of "victory" in Iraq will not be worth the cost in blood, treasure or attention.
It might also help the public understand the scope of the ill-defined yet vast and seemingly ever-growing exercise in which we have been engaged for well over a decade, at great cost in lives, treasure, and (at least in the minds of some) personal liberty.
Its half-century-long dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, a Muslim-majority state now parcelled out among the two old foes and China, costs India men, treasure and reputation.
"At a great cost of blood and treasure, we achieved nothing tangible," he says.
"The cost in blood and treasure is immense, and the outcome is unforeseeable.
