[brudgers]

>"as we involve the U.S. military in more and more missions that look highly political"

From:

  "When in the course of human events,"

through:

  "and that, government of the people, 
   by the people, for the people, 
   shall not perish from the earth,"

and even:

   "We Will, In Fact, Be Greeted As Liberators"

the use of the military for political missions has been more common than for any other purpose.

[redthrowaway]

With the possible exception of economic, although the two are often difficult to distinguish.

[brudgers]

Yes, military missions and economic missions are difficult to distinguish.

[redthrowaway]

Wars undertaken for political purpose vs wars undertaken for economic ones.