Modern wars "don’t last very long" (5-15 days) is historically inaccurate regarding major power conflicts. While the initial "shock and awe" phase is short, the occupations, proxy wars, and asymmetric warfare that follow last for decades (e.g., Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine). The U.S. has already proven it can maintain massive defense budgets and deficits for prolonged periods. Arab money will alleviate the pain and the argument that the "American economy can’t really afford it" ignores the reality that the U.S. defense budget is treated as a political priority, not a fiscal constraint, by Washington.