Since World War II, the U.S. has fought five major foreign wars (Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War I, Iraq, Afghanistan), with a poor win rate of about 1 win (1991 Gulf War) and 4 non-wins (draws or losses). In smaller interventions or “gray zone” conflicts, the pattern worsens: 9 wins, 8 losses, and 42 draws out of 59 cases. This creates a perception of frequent losses.