It's all part of the plan...

Every American War from about 1991 forward is pretty much the same:

1. Starts out scary/romantic like World War II 

2.  Our bombing is most awesome...sorry about that nursery school/wedding/funeral/Amway Convention

 ...a decade of futility goes by...

3. Perpetually train forces, or it will end up just like Vietnam (while it ends up just like Vietnam)

4. Profit. Blather, rinse, repeat.