Unfortunately we haven't done it that way since 41 - 45 when the military was given an objective and allowed to achieve it. They've been hamstrung ever since. Personally we should close-up shop overseas, bring 'em all home and put 'em to use securing the borders airtight and let the rest of the world drown in the black stuff while we grow our own fuel like we did a century ago. If we bankrupt the oil cartels by not buying the stuff they lose most of their effectiveness, but as it stands right now each and every American that buys petroleum products is the biggest supporter of terrorism. Then again it's pretty much the "American way" anymore to fund both sides of a fight, just ask the Kurds.