US Secretary of War Unleashes Troops: 'Intimidate, Demoralize, Hunt and Kill'
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has sparked international attention with his announcement to 'untie the hands' of American war fighters. This move, which aims to allow soldiers to 'intimidate, demoralize, hunt and kill' enemies without adhering to politically correct rules of engagement, has raised concerns about the balance between military necessity and legal limits.
Hegseth's statement echoes the unconventional tactics employed by the British Royal Navy at the Battle of Trafalgar, where unrelenting offense and innovative strategies led to victory. However, military leaders must also consider the broader implications of such approaches. As Pete Hegseth himself noted in a speech, fighting spirit should be balanced with political and legal constraints to prevent overstepping boundaries.
The Lieber Code of 1863, the first modern codification of the laws of war, was established to prevent unnecessary cruelty during the American Civil War. It later influenced the Geneva and Hague conventions, which set rules of engagement to control man's propensity to use violence. Hegseth's announcement could potentially undermine these established norms, potentially leading to various global responses.
Playing the victim can also legitimize disproportionate responses and breed resentment or backlash, making compromise more difficult. In today's world, the strong have a duty to be considerate and accommodative of weaker nations. Professional militaries should focus on readiness without engaging in war, through a good doctrine, matching force structures, realistic training, great leadership, and high morale.
Pete Hegseth's announcement to 'untie the hands' of US war fighters has raised concerns about the balance between military necessity and legal limits. While it echoes successful unconventional tactics from history, it also risks undermining established norms of warfare and potentially increasing challenges in controlling troops' emotions during military actions. The international community awaits further developments and potential responses to this announcement.
