The Nature of War has had two major developments in the past 70 years

[Hafar1014]

The Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

“A rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth.” -President Harry Truman’s statement on the Hiroshima atomic bombing, August 6, 1945 World War II marked the first—and only—wartime use of atomic weapons.

visit.archives.gov

1. The first major change was the development of the atomic bomb. The nuclear age created the reality of MAD Mutual Assured Destruction coined by Henry Kissinger. Attack with nuclear weapons assures no country can win a war. World wars became obsolete. Thats why wars were small police actions or use of proxies in a limited way. There have been no world wars since WWII.

https://www.war.gov/Spotlights/Drone-Dominance/

2. Smart technology and drones
The great equalizer that allows a small nation to inflict major damage to a large more powerful nation. We see this happening as Ukraine has held Russia at bay and today is defeating the Russian army which has far more men and equipment. The low cost and effectiveness of drones allows long range strikes that can seriously damage military and economic capability. Its not an absolute evidenced by the lack of success by Iran but it does show in the case of Ukraine, how a small well prepared nation can inflict enough damage to make war impractical. I believe thats why China will never invade Taiwan. The cost will be too high as they will have to cross 120 miles of ocean in so moving ships that will be sitting ducks.

My point is that major war is not feasible today. The risk of severe damage is too high. War just isnt worth it. Iran was the exception because fanatics cant be allowed to have nuclear weapons which in a way proves my point. Iran has now been destroyed to prevent them from using weapons of mass destruction and an offensive policy for their use. Meaning Irans building of nuclear weapons resulted in the destruction of their military and government leaders. Just the intent to use nuclear weapons can destroy a nation.

So are we new in a new age of conflict? Has negotiation and debate become the new weapons of conflict? I sincerely hope so.
Hafar

 

[Blaster]

Nuclear weapons should never have been created.