One of the dire consequences for our national disobedience (Daniel 9:11) is where we have the power but lack the will to use it:

"And I will break the pride of your power..." (Leviticus 26:19).

The following is an excerpt from Death to America: The Unreported Battle of Iraq by Ryan Mauro that seems to underscore this fact.

(Although this appears negative, the author remains positive America can correct the situation).

Unfortunately, the US appears unable or unwilling to do much about the Iranian and Syrian roles in the insurgency. The American public would not tolerate too forceful action, and the Administration obviously has political concerns. If the military got more aggressive, the rogues could increase the chaos inside Iraq. The Iranian and Syrian dissident communities are receiving little or no support, and thus our enemies have the strong hand at the bargaining table.

Rogue states believe that America is a "paper tiger," lacking the will power to succeed. They have good reason to believe this. Throughout recent history, the enemy has been encouraged by actions such as:

A. The 1980s US and French retreat from Lebanon.

B. The success of the Somali operation.

C. The inability of the West to effectively isolate the rogue regimes, or to comprehend the level to which terrorism is state-sponsored.

D. The reluctance to support freedom-fighters in anti-American regimes, instead deciding to cut deals and appease.

E. The little action the world community and UN has taken.

F. How long it took for action to be taken against Saddam Hussein and how much he could get away with. This includes the failure to remove him after the Gulf War or to support the Kurds and Shiites when they rebelled against his rule in 1991.

G. The pathetic action taken in response to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the 1998 embassy bombings, the USS Cole bombing, and other operations.

H. The inability of the Americans to have a consistent foreign policy especially during election times.

I. The toleration of Palestinian suicide bombings while forcing Israel into concessions.

J. American ultra-sensitivity to monetary costs, casualties, and lengths of conflicts.