I’m currently reading April 1865, an excellent book covering the events of the last month of the Civil War, which reminds us that how wars end is often of more consequence than how they start. It sets the stage for the next one.
Consider, for example, how the end of the First World War led to the Second, and to the current unpleasantness in Iraq.
Now that you’ve thought about that for a moment, do you really think it’s wise to treat with Iraq as if it is merely a conquered nation? Recall that in the best contracts, both sides think they’ve won. Tread carefully here.