Napoleon Bonaparte remains one of the most studied military leaders in history. What made him such an effective leader? It wasn’t just his tactical brilliance but a mix of rapid decision-making, deep understanding of his men, and the ability to maximize existing military systems to their fullest potential. His campaigns, strategies, and charisma are still … Read more
The legality of taking prisoners during combat is governed by international laws, primarily the Geneva Conventions and customary international humanitarian law. These rules set clear obligations regarding the treatment of enemy combatants who wish to surrender. Here’s a breakdown of the legal obligations and the practical challenges that can arise in combat: Legal Obligations: Geneva … Read more
The potential utility of thermobaric artillery rounds is an interesting topic, but there are specific reasons why conventional high-explosive (HE) shells remain the preferred choice for most artillery applications. Here’s a breakdown of the factors that limit the practicality of thermobaric rounds in artillery and how they compare to traditional HE shells: What Are Thermobaric … Read more
The choice of the M240 (7.62mm) as the coaxial machine gun on the M1 Abrams tank instead of the heavier M2 (.50 caliber) is based on a combination of logistical, operational, and design considerations. Here’s a breakdown of the reasons behind this decision: 1. Role and Target Engagement: Primary Role: The coaxial machine gun is … Read more
The choice of U.S. Marines to guard embassies is rooted in their historical roles, strategic advantages, and the specific needs of embassy security. Here’s a breakdown of why the Marines became the go-to force for protecting American diplomatic missions abroad: Why Marines Are Embassy Guards: Historical and Strategic Reasons 1. Historical Role and Small-Unit Expertise … Read more
Dealing with scorched earth tactics—where a retreating force destroys infrastructure, resources, and supplies to deny them to the advancing enemy—is a significant challenge in military strategy. This approach has been used throughout history, and successfully countering it requires robust planning and logistics. Here’s a deep dive into the core strategies and historical examples of handling … Read more
The events of October 7th, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale, surprise attack on Israel, raised significant questions about how such an incident could happen without Israel’s prior awareness. Israel, known for its advanced intelligence operations, was caught off-guard, which has led to many theories and analyses. Understanding Israel’s Intelligence Shortfall Israel’s intelligence services, including … Read more
The combustible casings used in modern tank gun ammunition are indeed based on nitrocellulose, but they are engineered to function in a very specific way. The main purpose of these casings is to hold the propellant charge while being able to burn up almost completely upon firing, leaving minimal residue inside the gun barrel and … Read more
The distinction between a Defense Agency (DA) and a Department of Defense (DoD) Field Activity (FA) is subtle and often overlaps, but there are key differences in their scope, function, and management focus. While both are meant to handle DoD-wide functions to ensure efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and better coordination across military departments, the nature of their … Read more
Thermobaric weapons are often surrounded by myths, especially regarding their raw power and comparisons to other types of explosives, like high explosives or even nuclear devices. To understand their actual effectiveness, it’s crucial to look beyond pop culture depictions and understand how they apply force differently than conventional explosives. What Are Thermobaric Explosives? Thermobaric weapons, … Read more