The concept of Deterrence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The concept of Deterrence - Essay Example There are a number of hindrances to deterrence, for example, the level of literacy to the group being deterred can cause a major challenge. Another challenge as Bunn put it that, deterrence to a certain extent towards the non-state actors/terrorists could be seen as an oxymoron, because of their suicidal nature (Bunn, p.4). Looking back at the situation during the cold war deterrence was not a very useful strategy. Evidenced by Almog in his article, US and Soviet Union both used deterrence against each other but failed to prevent the Korean War and Vietnam War (5). He further goes ahead and explains that deterrence can work against non-state actors. For example he gives the situation in Israel where deterrence has worked for over 50yrs and still practiced successfully (6). Almog suggest that for the war on deterrence to be effective it requires: inducements that turn emerging terrorists away from their vicious impulses (6).It is possible to deter rogue states and groups since their l eadership is dedicated to staying in power. Group assessment on specific actors has to be carried in order to provide information and analysis to be used in tailoring deterrence on each actor. To deter the enemy must perceive the ally as having the capability and will to carry out the threatened actions (Bunn 5). This is why the US is putting place strategies to strengthen its credibility across the spectrum and a series of deterrence options to act against its adversaries.This statement indeed applies to the modern strategic environment.... Group assessment on specific actors has to be carried in order to provide information and analysis to be used in tailoring deterrence on each actor. To deter the enemy must perceive the ally as having the capability and will to carry out the threatened actions (Bunn 5). This is why the US is putting place strategies to strengthen its credibility across the spectrum and a series of deterrence options to act against its adversaries. Conclusion Looking at the article in this essay it is evident that as much as terrorist group may have beliefs that encourage suicide and martyrdom, it is still possible to investigate and target what such groups value most and tailor make an effective deterrence strategy, just as Bunn put it (1). Therefore we can conclude that deterrence can be used against non-state actors as a military strategy although it faces some limitations. War termination Introduction Davis Hanson exposes the modern wars â€Å"messy, confused, and non-traditional, but from his po int of view, â€Å"victory† is a timeless military reality of making an enemy concede through force and diplomacy to your political objectives.†Ã‚   (National Review Online, 22 September 2010). This statement indeed applies to the modern strategic environment. Why the concept of victory is less relevant in today’s strategic environment The earlier concept of ‘victory’ as historian Davis Hanson put it that â€Å"†¦is a timeless military reality of making enemies concede through force and diplomacy to your political objectives.†Ã‚   (National Review Online, 22 September 2010).  For example ever since World War I, the disintegration of empires has produced over one hundred new states in the international system, and with this has come more turmoil. Additionally, at