Iraq War & Weapon Technology Thesis

The primary targets of the war are still at large, rendering all use of American and British weapon technology useless and in fact, more damaging to Iraqi civil society.

Indeed, weapon technologies are only as effective as the people who manage and use them. The American military, despite its sophisticated weapons, failed to capture Al-Qaeda because their weapons were not used strategically -- that is, weapons only become effective when they are used responsibly through careful and knowledgeable planning and with the least number of collateral damage. The lack of a clear strategy and knowledge of Middle Eastern culture, including lack of knowledge about both Afghan and Iraqi terrains, cost the U.S. with more civilian casualties than hitting on the primary and correct targets. This scenario is reminiscent of the Vietnam War, wherein the weak military strategy of the U.S. against the guerilla warfare strategy of the VietCongs resulted to numerous deaths among civilians, as the U.S. military resorted to indiscriminate killing in areas they defined as "free-fire zones" (Allen, 2004). These are irreversible consequences that I, hypothetically as a leader, cannot allow to happen. These are the reasons why as a military leader, I would create a clear, solid strategy first before entering foreign territories and cultures, before I subject my troops into hostile or enemy territories armed with these weapons.

References

Allen, J. (2004). "Vietnam: the war the U.S. lost." International Socialist Review. Available at: http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Asia/Vietnam_War_US_Lost.html.

Gahan, M. (2003). "War: boon or bane for defence firms." BBC News web site. Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2926435.stm.