Broken Will Does Not Fix War

It is contended by some that a war is won when the enemy’s “will is broken.” This is a not an accurate assessment of a defeated party and, therefore, is a misguided goal.


The implication is that the loser will never wish to fight again if this mission is somehow achieved. This is only true if the losing side’s reasoning for war is undermined. They must see it as unfair or unreasonable in some fashion, independent of what the victor thinks or does. (For example, after WWII Japan’s attack on the U.S. and Germany’s Holocaust let the people of those countries easily drop their will to fight.)

In many cases the will to fight lives on, especially if the victor is seen as unfair or unreasonable in their actions--before, during or after the conflict. (The U.S. in Afghanistan and Iraq.) If they can’t fight directly they will fight indirectly, covertly, and continuously.

Getting a foe to drop their weapons--never to pick them up again--is not an aim accomplished through brute force, which actually serves to harden resolve.

Real peace comes when reasonable and understandable actions rule.