Episode 34 12/1/2022

Reflecting upon war (2)…

#logistics L-O-G-I-S-T-I-C-S

The aspect of military science dealing with the procurement, maintenance, and transportation of military matériel, facilities, and personnel.

1. According to The Art of War by Sun Tzu, logistics should be planned before the main army marches.
2. Looking from the aspect of survival and endurance, ensuring smooth logistics is more important than destroying enemy targets.

#reconnaissance R-E-C-O-N-N-A-I-S-S-A-N-C-E

A preliminary survey to gain information, especially an exploratory military survey of enemy territory.

1. Thanks to satellite coverage and drone deployment, Ukraine’s reconnaissance on Russian movement has been very effective.
2. During the cold war, SR-71 blackbirds were used for aerial reconnaissance. Nowadays, that role has been taken by satellites and unmanned aircraft.

#casualty C-A-S-U-A-L-T-Y

A military person lost through death, wounds, injury, sickness, internment, or capture or through being missing in action.

1. In 1855 during the Crimean war, Nightingale discovered that rather than enemy fire, more than half of the casualties were caused by infection and illness.
2. As casualties continue to rise, more and more people start questioning the legitimacy of the war effort.

#retaliate R-E-T-A-L-I-A-T-E

To return like for like, especially to get revenge.

1. Retaliation underlies the “eye for an eye” principle in the Code of Hammurabi.
2. Without the option to severely retaliate against an offender, forgiveness is meaningless.

#escalate E-S-C-A-L-A-T-E

To increase in extent, volume, number, amount, intensity, or scope.

1. When a loop of retaliation runs out of control, even a minor conflict can escalate into total war.
2. Escalation of conflict is harmful to both sides. Therefore, even if the two states are at war, envoys are not to be killed.