US military; United States Armed Forces
base (military, expedition, etc.); enthusiast; maniac; fanatic
prior; beforehand; in advance; before the fact; ex ante
theory; standard procedure; common strategy; established tactics
direct; immediate; personal; firsthand
counterattack; counteroffensive; counterblow
roughly; approximately; round about; cursorily; briefly; quickly
to finish reading; to read through
really; very; extremely; (not) anything; (not) at all; (not) a bit
manner of speaking; mode of expression; way of saying something
irony; sarcasm; unexpected; different from what one expected; (only) surface; something superficial
a few years ago; some years back
to challenge (a person) to a fight
mainland; the country proper; native country; country where one was born; pure land; Buddha realm
beginning of hostilities; beginning of competition; first match (in a series)
war potential; military strength; fighting power; ability (to compete); capabilities; valuable asset
(complete) destruction; annihilation; devastation
companion; partner; other party; addressee; opponent (sports, etc.)
to respond; to answer; to accept (an invitation, offer, etc.); to comply with (a request, etc.); to suit; to match
military authorities; army circles
chance (of success); odds
advantageous; favourable; better; profitable; lucrative; gainful
to pull out; to take out; to lead out (e.g. a horse from a stable); to summon (e.g. to court); to withdraw (money); to draw
distinction; differentiation; discrimination; difference
to corner; to drive to the wall; to run down; to track down; to chase after
thoughtlessness; indiscretion
self-conceit; self-satisfaction; self-righteousness; self-importance; complacency
one's youth; early life; one's early days; one's early years
embarrassed; feeling ashamed; feeling awkward
on the surface; ostensibly; superficially; apparently
clear; precise; definite; distinct
death toll; number of deaths; body count
how long; how far; how much
least; lowest; worst; awful; horrible; at the very least
several million; millions (of)
all; whole; entire; complete (set); in total
equal; identical; the same; no different (from); just like; equivalent
avian influenza; bird flu
disposal; throwing away; dealing with (a problem); measure; punishment; penalty