What is conventional war?

What is Conventional War?

Conventional war refers to a type of armed conflict between two or more nations or states that is characterized by the use of military forces, tactics, and strategies that are generally accepted and recognized as part of international law and norms. Conventional war is often distinguished from asymmetric war, which involves the use of unconventional tactics and strategies, such as terrorism, guerrilla warfare, or cyber warfare.

Defining Conventional War

Conventional war is defined by several key characteristics:

• Large-scale mobilization of military forces: Conventional war typically involves the deployment of large numbers of troops, tanks, aircraft, and other military equipment.
• Formal declaration of war: Conventional war often begins with a formal declaration of war, which is a public announcement by one or more nations that they are at war with another nation.
• Use of conventional weapons: Conventional war involves the use of conventional weapons, such as artillery, tanks, aircraft, and naval vessels, which are designed to engage and destroy enemy forces in a direct and open manner.
• Adherence to international law: Conventional war is governed by international law, which establishes rules and norms for the conduct of war, such as the laws of war, the Geneva Conventions, and the Hague Conventions.

Types of Conventional War

There are several types of conventional war, including:

• Total war: Total war is a type of conventional war that involves the complete mobilization of a nation’s resources, including its economy, industry, and population, to achieve a military victory.
• Limited war: Limited war is a type of conventional war that involves the use of military force to achieve a specific military objective, such as the capture of a strategic location or the defeat of a specific enemy force.
• War of attrition: War of attrition is a type of conventional war that involves the use of military force to wear down the enemy through a prolonged and bloody conflict.

Key Features of Conventional War

Conventional war is characterized by several key features, including:

• Linearity: Conventional war often involves a linear approach, where military forces are deployed in a linear fashion to engage and destroy enemy forces.
• Mass: Conventional war often involves the use of massed formations of troops, tanks, and aircraft to achieve a decisive advantage.
• Shock and awe: Conventional war often involves the use of shock and awe tactics, such as precision-guided munitions and air power, to quickly and decisively defeat the enemy.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Conventional War

Conventional war has several advantages and disadvantages, including:

Advantages:

• Clear objectives: Conventional war often involves clear and well-defined objectives, such as the capture of a strategic location or the defeat of a specific enemy force.
• Effective use of military resources: Conventional war often involves the effective use of military resources, such as troops, tanks, and aircraft, to achieve a decisive advantage.
• International support: Conventional war often receives international support and recognition, which can help to legitimize the conflict and provide diplomatic and economic backing.

Disadvantages:

• High cost: Conventional war is often extremely costly, both in terms of human life and economic resources.
• Risk of escalation: Conventional war often involves a risk of escalation, which can lead to a wider and more devastating conflict.
• Civilians at risk: Conventional war often involves a risk to civilians, who may be caught in the crossfire or affected by the conflict.

Conclusion

Conventional war is a type of armed conflict that is characterized by the use of military forces, tactics, and strategies that are generally accepted and recognized as part of international law and norms. Conventional war has several key features, including large-scale mobilization of military forces, formal declaration of war, use of conventional weapons, and adherence to international law. While conventional war has several advantages, such as clear objectives and effective use of military resources, it also has several disadvantages, such as high cost, risk of escalation, and risk to civilians.

Table: Characteristics of Conventional War

Bullets: Types of Conventional War

• Total war: Complete mobilization of a nation’s resources to achieve a military victory.
• Limited war: Use of military force to achieve a specific military objective.
• War of attrition: Use of military force to wear down the enemy through a prolonged and bloody conflict.