Low intensity conflict

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The term " low-intensity conflict (starch) (" English low intensity conflict , also abbreviated LIC ) refers to a conflict situation in which complex constellations of social , economic and military lead factors that wars traversed by at least one war party controlled rest and escalations, without there being a strategically imperative for this. The condition for this is that at least this warring party is non-state in nature.

Non-state belligerents access it mostly on tactics of asymmetric warfare back. States with low economic output or unstable political conditions , which are also party to a low-intensity conflict , can also be tempted to use such means quickly. It can almost be ruled out that interstate wars will turn into small wars in the sense of low intensity conflict .

The United States Army Field Manual 100-20 of the United States Army , which, due to its multiple interventions around the globe, has the greatest experience of all armed forces with low-threshold conflicts, defines Low Intensity Conflicts as

“[…] Below conventional war and above the routine, peaceful competition. [...] ”

“[...] [still] below the threshold of conventional [interstate] wars, [but] above the usual [level] of peaceful competition. [...] "

Overlap with other terms

Actors in low-intensity conflict are often terrorist groups or guerrilla associations , which have one thing in common with asymmetrical warfare . The terrorist use of them, relying mainly on the psychological impact of terror as a strategy and is not bound locally. The guerrillas also use small-scale war tactics , but limit themselves to concrete political goals that they persistently pursue. Its success is completely dependent on sympathy and support from the local population, as well as the instability of the opposed regime.

features

Economic characteristics

An economic characteristic for the occurrence of low-threshold conflicts is the financial independence of the non-state conflict parties. They often achieve this by running and participating in organized crime . The starting point is often the cultivation of drugs . Ecologically and economically, this is obvious, since those who are less involved in the processing chain of drugs also make a much higher profit compared to legal agricultural products. The mostly complete prohibition of hard drugs in Western countries leads to a monopoly of organized crime (OK) in this market, which drug cartels divide among themselves in collusion. The sales generated in this way are often invested in other illegal markets, e.g. B. in the arms trade or prostitution .

Another relevant feature is the reduction in the cost of warfare due to the low to nonexistent remuneration of the fighters, who are thus forced to self-sufficiency. This mostly happens in raids and pillage, which also explain the often enormous destruction and casualty figures in this form of conflict.

In low intensity conflicts , business relationships between leading people across the battle lines are increasingly found. The globalization favors the development of new sources of money for the warlords .

In the case of the financing methods mentioned, a distinction must be made as to whether they only serve to increase sales with financial independence or as a necessary condition for survival. Thus, these methods can be classified as incidental or structural necessities.

Military characteristics

For low-threshold conflicts, asymmetrical warfare by at least one party to the conflict is mandatory. This term denotes an inequality of the equipment and tactics used and does not represent a result. The initiative lies with the technically inferior participant. This is where the designation “low-threshold conflicts” comes from, because the amortization achieved in the warfare cannot in principle extend a war indefinitely like a state participant in the war, who is essentially dependent on limited tax potential. With regard to the damage and victims of this form of conflict, the term is misleading, since no war between states or alliances of states has reached the percentage of civilian victims. In absolute terms, the civilian casualties in some cases of decades of conflict are comparable to those of purely interstate disputes.

To what extent priced in such conflicts, but older major equipment is used (eg. T-55 - tanks of Soviet production ) depends on the strategy of the belligerents. On the one hand, the resulting increased combat strength is seen as advantageous; on the other hand, the lengthy and complex training of fighters, which is absolutely necessary for the use of larger weapons, can destroy the other advantages of asymmetrical warfare.

The heavy mining of the war zone is typical, but not exclusive, of low-threshold conflicts . It can be seen here as a symbolic feature of this form of conflict: With very little effort (burying the mines is a simple activity), lasting damage is done that causes the affected communities great problems even decades after the end of the conflict and particularly affects civilians .

Political characteristics

In political terms, the structure of states in low intensity conflict is changing . Often they also turn to illegal military action to catch the strategic momentum of the armed non-state groups. For states, however, this has long-term disadvantageous effects, since it gets into a conflict of interests. In most cases, bilateral guerrilla tactics even escalate the conflict beyond the borders, and the removal of damage demands additional state resources. Corruption among the authorities and the military is widening, as warfare now promises profit for all participants, creating competition. At the end of this initially insidious process, there is usually a loss of all state authority, especially the monopoly of force , and, finally, often the collapse of the state .

Although government and administrative apparatus in particular are affected by the political consequences of the LICs , non-state groups can also change during such a conflict. Above all, organizations with originally separatist , patriotic , anti-imperial motives run the risk of falling into the dynamic of a “war for the sake of war” as the conflict continues. This is also favored by activities of external actors in whose interests the support of warring parties lies, such as B. During the Cold War , especially in Africa, through the proxy warfare of the blocs.

Psychosocial characteristics

The fighting troops of the conflicting parties are often composed of underage troops. This is due to several factors:

  • The operation of weapons systems is greatly simplified with the increasing advent of automatic and semi-automatic weapons in the war , especially the AK-47 - assault rifle .
  • The amalgamation of arbitrary self-sufficiency and the arming of the fighters gives minors in particular the feeling of power, superiority and recognition.
  • The young people's lack of prospects is consciously exploited.

After a phase in which war crimes were outlawed , which went hand in hand with the “nationalization” of the war, an increase in war crimes and crimes against humanity has been observed, especially since the collapse of the Soviet Union , in particular massacres and organized mass rape (“reexualization of war”). This applies to the commanding persons of the conflict groups with regard to the humiliation of the enemy and the disintegration of his social order, especially in the case of pregnancies that occur later as psychological warfare , with the individual fighters women are considered prey.

According to the UN special envoy for children in violent conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy , 250,000 children and young people are currently deployed as soldiers .

history

Contrary to popular belief, the dynamic of low-threshold conflicts is not new. The nationalization of the war did not take place until the time of Carl von Clausewitz . Previously, mercenaries , especially in the form of the Landsknechte during the Thirty Years' War or the Condottieri , made up an essential part of current warfare. This is how princes saved funds. The nationalization of the war did not begin until the more and more complex and progressive weapon systems steadily reduced the profit from warfare. Cannons and artillery in particular brought rapid developments and after a long time gave the offensive an advantage over the defensive . This development found its political legitimation in the discipline and readiness for action of the troops and the protection of the citizens . It was not uncommon for the mercenaries to fight each other only when it was absolutely necessary. The constant evasion of fighting and their self-sufficiency contributed to a considerable extent to the prolongation of the Thirty Years' War and made mercenaries above all hateful among the common people, even if they and their Italian counter-organizations had acquired considerable power through their functions and their actions .

At least since the collapse of the Soviet Union , there has been a downward trend in terms of nationalization and the associated political purpose. This shows the "reaction" of the West, which consists in the increased appearance of security companies. Together, for example, they make up the second largest contingent of units in Iraq, ahead of Great Britain and behind the United States .

Perception and use of the term

Cold War

The term was formed as early as the Cold War , but under different circumstances. Under low intensity conflicts there were all symmetrical conflicts below conventional clashes took place and especially the escalation of the prevailing world political dualism were unsuitable for. B. smoldering border conflicts ( Ethiopia / Somalia , Egypt / Libya or Honduras / El Salvador ).

science

In phases, science became more and more aware of the emerging form of conflict, especially after the Cold War and the Kosovo conflict . After the terrorist attacks of September 11th, a sustained debate began, especially in North America and later also in Europe . Through their networking with think tanks and non-governmental organizations had US scientists picked up the term.

US military

Back in the seventies of the 20th century was the officer corps of the armed forces of the United States on LIC attentive, looking for ways and means, such a loss-making use, as in the Vietnam War to avoid in the future. They used the term in the sense of one of several possible tactics, which is why it was also equated with the word counterinsurgency . Therefore, this definition should rather be translated as “ asymmetrical warfare ”, because this usage only deals with military conditions. The findings of the Ministry of Defense were and continue to be reflected in the establishment of the Special Forces and their continuous development.

media

The media are also moving the term into the spotlight in spurts, with “ war on terror ” or “ axis of evil ”, which were coined by the Bush administration , dominating lately . This is the general awareness of actions and movements of American politics and the ongoing neglect since decades existing trouble spots to explain. Thus the still latent perception of non-governmental gangs as liberating organizations can be explained, provided that they represent this claim externally. Overall, however, the structures of low-threshold conflicts receive little media attention .

See also

literature

In popular scientific literature , the term “new wars” has established itself in German, even if this is controversial due to the re-emergence of private war financing (see above).

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ UN press release

Web links