500N
The reason we keep losing, is because there is no proper goal (strategy) set at the beginning.
There's really no other reason for our continual arse-kickings.
Before you start one of these 'wars', you need to know exactly what you are starting it for.
You need to know exactly what you wish to achieve, and why.
You need to know roughly how you hope to achieve it- and how long you're prepared to stick with the fight- ie, how badly you want to win.
Ask yourself these questions on the Vietnam war for example (or Iraq/ Afghanistan?)
If we do 'something' in Syria, let us at least decide what we hope to achieve, before trying to achieve it.