Thomas Merton in describing the Vietnam War could now be speaking of the present Mideast War and its continuing escalation. When events turn into their opposite it's time to re-think the strategy. We have been in a long fight - years of retribution.
BRING HOME THE TROOPS
" The present war crisis is something we have made entirely for and by ourselves. There is in reality not in the slightest logical reason for war, and yet the whole world is plunging headlong into frightful destruction, and doing so with the purpose of avoiding war and preserving peace. This is a true war madness, an illness of the mind and the spirit..." More

