Demi-logic and emotion both seem to be capable of leading to the same place.
Because of probability, in a fair gambling game, if you play enough rounds you'll probably get a winner -IF- you keep gambling long enough. This leads to the demi-logic (as in half-logic) that if each bet is bigger you can recoup all that's been lost along the way in that final jackpot. The gambler goes from betting the grocery money to betting the farm, in an attempt to be struck by winning probability. Of course, that process is constrained by an ultimately finite capacity to ante-up for the next round with its independent likelihood of success just as bad as every previous spin of the wheel or deal of the cards.
Escalation in war works more of less the same way, each day of stalemate, each setback, each major defeat are met with another bigger gambit. Victory demands escalation. And, honestly war isn't a simple form of gambling, superior logistics and greater/more effective 'kinetics' can change the odds. There is a real belief that each escalation improves the chances, if only the fetters can be broken that hold us back...which leads to the notion that we never actually lose at the hands of the enemy, we lose because we haven't got the will to make the next escalation.
Additionally, there is more than demi-logic involved. There is also honor and shame. Gamblers can't face their spouses and families. Nations cannot, either. The investment of precious lives and treasures cannot be allowed to go for naught. No one wants to devalue the loss of life of their 'brave heroes'. To make those lost lives have value, the earlier bad bets must be redeemed. This is the sunk-cost fallacy ... we're in too deep to quit, in for a dime in for a dollar, with nothing to end the escalation other than bankruptcy if probability doesn't strike like lightening.
The shame of wasting a hundred casualties is hoped to be countered by risking a thousand more, and the next thousand casualties appeals for more thousands at risk.
Being trapped in the cycle of defending the investment, the sunk-costs, continues until a clever person can figure out a way to make all the bleeding and dying look as though it's been offset by a jackpot. Peace with honor. Vietnamization, Iraqifying, Handing over the reins of freedom.
It goes on and on. And I have no doubt that decades from now young Americans hunkered down in some distant place will be watching American politicians being convinced by military leaders commit to greater escalation, not to defend Freedom, or The AMERICAN WAY, but to defend against the shame and humiliation of being left responsible for losing those sunk-costs.
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