> The US has a tradition of large, supposedly secure bases in the rear. The USAF has relied on this since WWII. It's not working any more.

I guess we're all guerrilla fighters now.

"The guerrilla must move amongst the people as a fish swims in the sea" - Mao

Guerrilla forces have to be popular, or at minimum, have the local population cowed. They're useful for kicking an oppressor out of your own country, but not for conquest.