I've said what I know about it. The cost in lives was more about what was to come if hostilities kept escalating over it. Was it overblown by military brass or Carter? Could be so. I have no idea what extent the tensions would have escalated, how the Soviet Union may or may not have been able to take advantage of the situation, or many of the other factors at play in the mid 1970s.
What I do know is jumping into that hornet's nest today for no good reason would be the epitome of trump stupidity and an additional giant waste of resources. I have a nephew who is about to complete year 1 in the army, and although I spoke my objections based on this very scenario of a warmongering trump getting back in office, his veteran step dad convinced him otherwise. I really hope he makes it 4 years, but having to deal with him getting killed invading Panama would make family events quite weird. And I'd keep the "I told you idiots so" to myself although we'd all know it.