Do residual forces really make a difference in American transferal operations?

Following the Persian Gulf War, many asserted that the American military exorcized the demons of the Vietnam War. It was inappropriate to make this claim since the war was reminiscent of the conventional conflicts the United States was involved in earlier in the twentieth century. While examining America's unconventional conflicts since the failure in Vietnam, one recognizes Washington is still having trouble dealing with them. It is especially difficult for the world's lone superpower to establish stability in the nations where fighting is taking place. Certain officials in the U.S. government believe residual forces can produce order over the course of time. Within this article, though, it will be demonstrated that residual forces seldom generate such an outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]