Phyrric Gestures

Is there such a thing as wise militarism?
I have pondered this a lot after hearing about
the wealthiest country in the world [the USA]
training the army of a dirt poor country [Iraq]
in how to use technologically advanced weapons,
weapons which then changed sides as said army
prove disloyal to their government, for being unpaid,
poorly trained and undisciplined.
Their retreat and disbursement
in the face of an admittedly ferocious enemy
is something we only hear about only distantly,
but repeatedly. As a vassal state to the USA
The UK's main response is a discreet military support,
and a well broadcast, but quite late, 'humanitarian aid'
which is sufficient to keep those caught in the conflict
alive, but also keep them far enough away from us
for them to not want to visit us and ask for refuge.