Conflict in the 21st Century

Posted from Senator Hart's new blog at Matters of Principle.

For about 300 or 350 years most conflicts in the world, or at least the major ones, were between and among nation-states, that is one country fighting another or several fighting each other.  More often than not these conflicts were about boundaries, territory, aggrieved minorities, religious or ethnic friction, or simply raw power.

Conventional nation-state wars evolved into large armies wearing national uniforms, employing ever more sophisticated large weapons, often meeting in decisive battles in more or less open fields.  These conflicts created their own rules embodied in international law and Geneva conventions.

Beginning sometime in the post-World War II time of colonial disintegration, so-called wars of national liberation sprang up, one country trying to rid itself of an occupying power.  This produced guerilla tactics—non-uniformed, indigenous forces using light weapons, hit-and-run methods, and often hitting civilian targets.  These kinds of conflicts proliferated when the bi-polar lid of the Cold War was lifted.  We experienced this unconventional warfare in Vietnam as the Soviets did (and now the U.S. does) in Afghanistan.

Largely under the threat of weapons of mass destruction, nation-state wars are declining.  But irregular, unconventional conflicts are expanding.  History may record its inaugural date as September 11, 2001, but its roots are at least a half-century older.

To comment, please visit the article at Senator Hart's new blog:  http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=219.

 

 

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Comments

[NoFactsJustTruth]

The geopolitical ideology professing 'might makes right' is as old as organized warfare itself, born in a notion that borders are irrelevant when territory or resources are required. But now it's time to pick the scab off the evil and greedy side of modern warfare, Senator Hart, and again come to grips with why OUR country once enforced LAWS AGAINST WAR PROFITEERING. Its one thing to just make ever better ways to kill people should war occur, and sell that defensive posture to a government. It's quite tragically something else when 'false flags' are perpetrated to induce regional wars - where 'killing people for profit' is revealed as the TRUE motive behind occupation, exactly as in Vietnam and Iraq. And, government itself is likewise revealed as an eager co-conspirator, in what is no less than blatant WAR CRIMES for corporate profit$.

History will eventually have 'field day' with ...rationalizations.

[TheMediaRanger]

The Crusades of Constantin's time, the Troubles in Ireland, the Jewish "problem" that got Hitler all wigged out, the tragedy of 9-11, the over-reaction to 9-11 ... it's amazing how people will wrap the cloak of religion around their cause to justify ignorance, hate and greed. It's almost an argument for atheism by itself. Almost.

[Libertarian09]

Religion (or nationalism) allows people to act in ways they know in their heart is immoral. Nothing more than tools used by power people to convince the masses to perpetrate horrendous acts.

[sunny123]

Senator Hart, you are so right. That God we have people like you who have the courage and knowledge to let the rest of us know that there is a great deal more than our news outlets tell us. It is high time that we stopped the corporations of war from running our country.

Thank you for sharing with us.

[Libertarian09]

As a one time member of the Council on Foreign Relations Mr Hart is part of the group of people responsible for the mess (internationally speaking) America finds itself in today. If you think his interests lie in stopping corporate control of the nation I suggest you look at his resume and voting records while a Senator

[sunny123]

Who would know better than someone who has already been a part of the system. The only hope is that he has learned something from it that we can benefit from. I lived in CO when he was senator but have to admit I wasn't really interested in politics at that time. I had to go back to school to find out "that if it is meant to be, it begins with me." That is when I became more of an activist.

I am afraid corporate control is a never ending thing unless we find a way of limiting their influence by way of donations, ethics, term limits and lobbyists. They don't represent us anymore, they represent corporations.

Thank you for your comment. I'm sure you are right.

[MalleusMaleficarum]

Thanks to Gary Hart for this concise encapsulation of the transformative phase of warfare that took place within recent centuries. Lest we forget, terrorism gained traction in WWI and WWII (although it certainly did not start with them). Hitler's blitzkrieg resulted in the terror-bombing of London during the Blitz that was made even more horrific with the introduction of V1 and V2 rocket attacks that launched shortly after D-Day. The Allied bombings of European cities ultimately culminated in the most horrific acts of terror in the history of the known universe -- the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. America has much to answer for in the annals of terror and the gross monstrosity of high-tech war. The latest trend to robotic drones in Pakistan and Afghanistan is a worrying signal that worse will soon be on the way - robotic bombs on wheels, in submarines as well as smaller robotic surveillance and terror devices that will come flooding out of the factories of blue chip US corporations.