If history is our teacher — what grade do we give ourselves? What have we learned from the deaths of over 334.6 million souls (from records starting in the 13th century). After we bury the dead, rebuild lives, societies, traditions — what — historically — do we do? Go to war over something.

What, if any — did Afghanistan’s history of war play in the decision to add yet one more line-item to their warrior past? Common sense would say — historically — wars end badly for those who start it. Not to start another war would be learning from history.

If history is our teacher — what grade do we give ourselves?