The more things change.....
Delusional mercinary scenarios included
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The more things change.....
Delusional mercinary scenarios included
We will see. Unless western government allows draconian methods when trying to fight an insurgency you will be seeing scenario's like I just predicted. The future and recent past of war revolves around fighting insurgencies. And until we develop some sort of nuclear bubble shield :rolleyes: I don't see large scale conventional warfare getting back in the limelight. And if does..... we have bigger things to worry about.Quote:
Originally Posted by Strike For The South
This.Quote:
Originally Posted by a completely inoffensive name
It says 'holding the state', i.e. defending it, not running it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Centurion1
Most of the qualities of mercenaries which you shrug off are self-defeating. For instance merceneries are insolent with friends, says Machiavelli. You say that doesn't matter. But in the low-intensity warfare we see today, local friends are more important than ever.
You ignore his lessons only at your peril. Indeed, the world has changed a lot since Machiavelli. But man hasn't.
AII
Holding the state in your definition is still irrelevant. Traditional forces would defend the state and fight conventional wars.Quote:
Originally Posted by Adrian II
Insolence is showing a lack of respect for someone. Yeah insolent with friends. Machiavelli means compatriots and officers. The local village elders and such you are implying would likely not be treated any more insolent than regular forces treat them, which is to say not at all. Maybe in private life but not in combat then it is just stupid and you die. These mercenaries aren't some kids looking for adventure they are professionals.
As I said before Mercs will only lead to more asymmetric warfare. Mercs are the very bane of winning hearts and minds. They are the gold standard of infidel in any religious or enlightened mind.Quote:
Originally Posted by Centurion1
They were used in Iraq as a quick way of ramping up assets on the ground, under the very mistaken assumption that the locals would rise up and throw off the yoke of tyranny and be running democracy and McDonalds in a year or may three tops.
If the plan had looked at the longer view and factored in the need for more boots on the ground and maintaining a positive presence with the locals then the amount of mercs would have been reduced to maybe the equivalent of shopping mall guards in the green zone.
Mercs as you have pointed out are more costly, aren't tied into the chain of command as well, and as proven by Blackwater they really do not make build positive relationship building any easier.
As far as I'm concerned Oxfam et al is a manifestation of the White Man's Burden, not an alternative to it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tellos Athenaios
Yes, and after you pay up you can pretend to have done your bit and leave the rest of it at home, as opposed to some harebrained takeover scheme.
Like Blackwater, those steeled professionals, known for overbooking the US government for $300 million in Washington and stealing weapons from regular US troops on the ground in Afghanistan.Quote:
Originally Posted by Centurion1
Shees, how naive can you be. :rolleyes:
AII
A great quote from an Army Colonel: "I hate seeing people get paid $100,000 a year for doing the same :daisy: they were doing when I kicked them out as a private."Quote:
Originally Posted by Adrian II
Owwww mr Mandela what's that http://youtu.be/fcOXqFQw2hc
It would certainly explain the 4000 dead white farmers so far
As much as I would like to see a new period of colonialism, this time done without all the ugly bits that make every european uncomfortable, I dont think it's feasable even if africa just rolled over and let it happen. Personally I think we should have all the warlords and corrupt leaders assassinated then light a fire under the assess of their replacments to get thier act together or they'll be killed too. Now if only there was a chance that it would work without sending the area into more chaos.