tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19305198.post3686525011028647985..comments2024-03-27T03:19:11.216-04:00Comments on Assistant Village Idiot: On The Possible Utility Of Recent Wars - Part IAssistant Village Idiothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978011985085795099noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19305198.post-23666774555359001132012-11-17T10:38:04.807-05:002012-11-17T10:38:04.807-05:00Agreed - the individual action by LEO and the cond...Agreed - the individual action by LEO and the conduct of a nation are not completely parallel cases. I intended them as illustrative of certain principles. We certainly agree there. <br /><br />Let me clarify some. I tend to view the term "saber rattling" as somewhat disparaging and indicative of a lack of intent on the part of the rattler. (switch metaphor alert) The reason we take the rattling of a rattlesnake seriously is not because we are impressed by the ability to rattle. It is because we know that fangs and venom follow close behind and unless we move quickly to comply (move!) on our end, the application of fangs and venom is a virtual certainty. (I know whereof I speak here ;-) )<br /><br />If police surrounded a house, showed their lights, etc, but the occupant did not believe that they were prepared to act in force, then the effect is negated. In national diplomacy that is the effect if mixed signals. If done properly the threat of force is a legitimate deescalation technique. But it only works if the officer/nation fully intends to carry out their threat. <br /><br />Second point. The cost of war for the victor is higher than we like to think. So if a nation is issuing threats, but NOT counting the cost of committing to force, that is a recipe for disaster. If a nation thinks it can get by on the cheap by skimping on any aspect of war-making (including taking account of what must be done AFTER combat is over) they are deluding themselves. <br /><br />I am not a believer that war/violence never solved anything. Violence is a powerful tool of conflict resolution and individuals and states both would do well be be proficient in it's use. I would say, however, that we must go into such actions with eyes wide open and with absolutely no illusions or romantic notions about we are getting ourselves into. It may be necessary or even right, but it is always ALWAYS ugly.Dubbahdeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00075702513873912334noreply@blogger.com