The Nature of War: A Traditional Perspective

War, in its conventional sense, signifies armed conflict between two or more parties, aimed at achieving interests or seizing rights after diplomatic avenues have failed to yield solutions or recommendations that satisfy the disputing sides. Until recently, battles were exclusively waged by traditional armies – regular armed forces relying on formations and operating according to classical military doctrine, heavily dependent on soldiers and heavy weaponry to establish control over territory.

A World in Transition: Technology Reshaping Warfare

Today, the world is undergoing a significant turning point. Technology is reshaping the form and concept of war. There is a qualitative and accelerating evolution in the tools used and their outcomes. This development is expected to transform, before the mid-century mark (within the next two decades), into a revolution that could fundamentally alter armies and consequently create new levels of military technologies that are difficult to imagine, along with their associated opportunities and challenges.

Defining Traditional Warfare: Tactics and Targets

Traditional warfare is conducted using known weapons and battlefield tactics in open confrontations that may be prolonged or shortened depending on the capabilities of each adversary. The forces and fronts of each side are clearly defined, primarily targeting the opponent's army to destroy or at least weaken it.

The Structure of Traditional Armies

In this type of war, armies rely on their ground, naval, and air forces within military formations such as infantry, armor, air force, air defense, and others. The confrontation between the two sides is direct, using tanks, warplanes, rifles, and conventional missiles. Chemical or biological weapons might be used, but within the framework of international law.

The Historical Role of Traditional Armies

Traditional armies have played pivotal roles in world wars and major conflicts over decades. They were the foundation of battles and led to immense geopolitical shifts, as seen in the First and Second World Wars during the last century. More recently, new military tactics and technologies have contributed to prolonged wars of attrition, but the battles remained within their traditional framework in terms of the intensive use of ground forces, supported by naval and air power to decide and change the course of the war.

The Emergence of New Warfare: A Departure from Tradition

In contrast to traditional wars, new wars rely on different tools and methods. For example, the greatest threats to "America" are no longer nuclear or traditional warfare, but rather cyber warfare and unconventional military technologies.

The Shifting Role of Conventional Military Assets

Similarly, the main battle tank (MBT) with its high firepower is no longer the backbone of modern armored forces. It is expected to become obsolete soon due to its failure to counter modern anti-tank systems, in favor of alternative systems that surpass it in weight and both defensive and offensive capabilities.

The Rise of Automated Military Systems

There will be more automated military systems, especially in the naval and aerial domains, giving this army or that the ability to direct precise strikes against its adversary. These advanced systems will not be limited to one side but will be available to all, not only to states but also to groups and military militias.

The Diminishing Role of the Traditional Soldier

The vast majority of soldiers will be replaced by human-like "robots" that surpass them in their ability to handle difficult and dangerous operations. This will be a hybrid war, possibly lasting for decades, that blends traditional, cyber, political, and media warfare with the aim of dismantling targeted societies.

The Primacy of Technology in Modern Military Power

Technological development has become a key element in creating military superiority and transforming the shape of war. It has the ability to enhance the capabilities of armies in performing their tasks, reduce reliance on human elements, deter the enemy's strategic weapons, disable their vital installations, and identify their centers of gravity.

The Information Age and its Impact on Warfare

This is facilitated by the vast amount of information it provides, which in turn enhances accurate monitoring of enemy movements. This is also capable of destroying the economies and infrastructures of countries through "cyber wars" that penetrate the systems of adversary governments and institutions, target their intelligence agencies, and disrupt their air defense systems. Another mobilization tool used as a weapon against the adversary is the use of social media in psychological warfare to influence the public opinion of the targeted society.

Game-Changing Technologies: Drones and Artificial Intelligence

Among the technologies that may change the concept of armed conflict, and not just the methods of warfare, are drones (unmanned aerial vehicles). These combine precise combat performance without the need for pilots, the ability – often – to evade air defense systems, and superior reconnaissance capabilities. They can also be integrated with robots or operated in swarms to carry out highly dangerous offensive missions. Many modern armies have developed their combat strategies based on artificial intelligence in command and control of operations, and in the development of "robots" that now perform reconnaissance tasks, mine-laying, logistical support and transport of supplies, and even engagement with the enemy. Artificial intelligence has also been used to adjust the trajectory of missiles and ammunition to accurately hit their targets and to identify the enemy's military movements before they launch an attack.

The Enduring Relevance of Traditional Armies

So far, reality confirms that traditional armies are still of great importance on the battlefield and that there is a blend of classical weapons and modern technologies. Despite their development, these technologies are still unable to control territory as ground armies do.

The Evolving Role of Human Soldiers

While these technologies have reduced the need for soldiers on the front lines and made wars less costly in terms of both finances and human lives, they have not eliminated humans entirely. We may witness a radical change in the form of wars in the future, relying on unmanned systems, but the army will not disappear; it will become more intelligent and less dependent on humans.

The Future of Warfare: Adaptation and Attrition

The future will therefore be shaped in favor of those who can adapt quickly to modern military technology and those who can prolong the war to exhaust the adversary. Traditional armies now face difficulties in dealing with irregular groups that rely in their warfare on light weapons, drones, hypersonic missiles, cyberattacks, and media campaigns to incite public opinion within the enemy's homeland.