Polygamy is especially designed to accept high casualties among men and boys. 70% casualties means that the enemy will regenerate itself to the same strength within a generation. Moreover, heavy casualties tend to harden the enemy’s resolve. Genocide is not only wrong, but it usually backfires.

Yes, we need to hit our enemies and hit them hard, but we also need to consider how to win the peace. Hard-hearted viciousness that emboldens the resolve of one’s enemy is the kind of mistake that al-Qaeda makes and it is the kind of mistake we must not imitate. Instead, victory requires a combination of hot and cold, hard and soft. It is at least as important to induce uncertainty and discord within the enemy’s ranks as it is to kill him. After all, the greatest victory comes not from destroying the enemy population, but rather from defeating the enemy in such a manner so that the enemy population may eventually become an auxiliary force.

Remember, the United States refused to bomb Kyoto despite the desires of General Groves.