, are now allies of the United States . And people across the world have reaped the benefits from that alliance , '' he said . `` Today , we must do the same in Afghanistan and Iraq . ... We 'll lay the foundation of peace for generations to come . '' But today 's wars differ from those of the past , Bush acknowledged , and not only because of modern technology that allows `` greater precision '' in warfare . `` One challenge is that in the past , in Germany and Japan , the work of rebuilding took place in relative quiet , '' he said . `` Today , we 're helping emerging democracies rebuild under fire from terrorist networks and state sponsors of terror . This is a difficult and unprecedented task -- and we 're learning as we go . '' The measure of success in war has changed , he said . `` In the past ... there were public surrenders , a signing ceremony on the deck of a battleship , victory parades in American cities . Today , when the war continues after the regime has fallen , the definition
COLORADO SPRINGS , Colorado -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Bush told the 2008 graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy on Wednesday that the `` only way America could lose the war on terror is if we defeat ourselves . '' President Bush and Air Force Academy graduate Michael Riddick of Aiken , South Carolina , celebrate graduation . Speaking on a cloudy day at Falcon Stadium , the president compared the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to America 's earlier conflicts , particularly World War II . `` Our nation is once again contending with an ideology that seeks to sow anger , hatred and despair : the ideology of Islamic extremism , '' he said . `` In today 's struggle , we are once again facing evil men who despise freedom and despise America and aim to subject millions to their violent rule . `` We assumed this obligation before , '' he said , referring to the rebuilding of Germany and Japan after World War II , a conflict that saw the loss of more than 400,000 American lives . Watch more of Bush 's speech '' `` Germany and Japan , once mortal enemies