it's easier for the blame to be transferred

Serving the same military master.

that STUNK TO HIGH HEAVEN

qualifies as escalation. There is more, I don't think most are paying attention to this in detail.

By the way, not defending it, but what they are doing is escalating, if you can call it that way, the number of troops that do security. Here is what should be making the rounds. They are using Marines, not insert merc outfit here. They used to give the bulk of those to mercs in the green zone. Oh and there is a similarity to another conflict in South East Asia.

No marker for history. Mission creep will further erode our Democratic principles.

Who will stand up and speak the truth? None of the insiders, apparently.