The American news site Stars and Stripes claims that "US capabilities to fight large powers, such as China or Russia, have eroded as a result of nearly two decades of fighting against rebels."

Here are the main considerations:

* - Whole generations of soldiers have experience in war, but the wars of the future will not be so similar to the wars fought by US soldiers in recent decades.

* - In the coming years, changes in the strategy and tactics of the US military are expected to be more urgent.

* - After two decades of fighting the uprisings, the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) is re-orienting itself into a major power contest and this will require significant re-equipment.

* - A war against China or Russia will result in the loss of lives and equipment far beyond what was in the worst days in Iraq or Afghanistan.

* - War games that simulate a test of strength against Russia or China often end in a crushing defeat to the United States.

* - The declared war on terror after 9/11 changed almost every aspect of the American approach to battle.

* - The strategy, which relies on elite forces, backed by air strikes and the use of real-time communications, will change in the face of an advanced technological rival like China.

* - The Taliban did not have missiles capable of sinking aircraft carriers and destroying airports, or the ability to shoot down refueling planes, air control planes and radars.