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Posted by admin in OPINION LEADER, Sajjad Shaukat, Sajjad Shaukat 's Column on January 11th, 2016
Present ‘different war’ is simply a clash of wills between two entities. Military thinkers agree that although the physical force will determine the type and scale of war, yet it is the will to fight or moral force which determines the outcome of war.
Clausewitz puts it this way, “One might say that the physical force seems little more than the wooden hilt, while moral factors are the precious metal, the real weapon.”
In his book, “Fighting Power: German and U.S. Army Performance, 1939-1945″, Creveld identifies the elements of moral force, whom he calls “fighting power, the willingness to fight and the readiness, if necessary, to die.” The greater these elements, the less vulnerable an armed force will be to ‘demoralization’. Quite opposite to ‘demoralization’, moral force, then, is the crucial factor in determining the combat power of any belligerent.
In this regard, more than 14 years have passed and the US-led NATO forces have been facing defeatism in Afghanistan in their longest war of history. The ambush attacks on their military installations and personnel by the Afghan freedom fighters have continued, particularly, targeting American bases, check posts and armed persons. While, the US-led troopers and their vehicles are equipped with sophisticated weaponry and modern technology, but they have badly failed in crushing the stiff resistance of the Afghan Taliban.
Likewise, in case of Iraq, the US-led forces occupied the country in 2003. When Iraqis started a war of liberation, Anglo-American forces became helpless before the stiff resistance of the freedom fighters. In that respect, the US President George. W. Bush had repeatedly said that Iraq is the main battleground of the ‘different war’ against the militants, and he would not withdraw the forces. However, US faced a humiliated defeat in that country.
In fact, despite their qualitative and numerical superiority over Iraqis (During occupation) and Afghans who are well-equipped with the elements of moral force, and have been showing unmatched courage by sacrificing their lives, the US-led forces have been demoralized.
We can note the same moral force or spirit of sacrificing their own lives in Pakistan’s armed forces, during the successful military operation, “Zarb-e-Azb”, which compelled the Indian-supported insurgents of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to retreat from North Waziristan Agency and other tribal areas. The jets of Pakistan Air Force have bombed militants’ hideouts in North Waziristan, and killed thousands of insurgents including foreign militants, while Pak Army has also killed several terrorists through ground offensive, and many of them surrendered before the army. And during street to street fighting, without bothering for their lives, and by air-dropping commandos at the risky places, Pak army made a great headway in disrupting the Taliban supply routes and links. While, there is a significant decline in motivation of suicide bombers, because most of the TTP Taliban have either been killed or fled their areas—they have been demoralized. What the US-led NATO forces could not do in the last 14 years in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s armed forces did within 14 months, while, geographically, the North Waziristan is the largest Agency and has the same topography like Afghanistan. It is also mentionable that unlike the American CIA which is part of the US global war on terror, Pakistan’s primary intelligence agency ISI captured several terrorists in Pakistan’s various regions, including suicide-jackets and weapons—thus thwarted their subversive acts.
Displaying moral courage like Pakistan’s armed forces, within three months, the Russian-led coalition of Iran, Iraq, the Syrian army-the National Defense Forces (NDF) and Lebanon-based Hezbollah have broken the backbone of the US-CIA-backed ISIS terrorists, Al-Qaeda’s Al-Nusra Front, the rebels and the mercenaries who have been fighting against the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government and against the current Iraqi regime as part of America’s double game (Of regime change). In this context, it is owing to the high moral force that Russian-led combatants have destroyed the strongholds, supply lines and installations of the US-led entities. Besides killing several commanders of the CIA-assisted militants, they have shattered the command and control system of the ISIS and their affiliated terrorist outfits. These demoralized militants have fled most of the areas in Syria and Iraq, which have been recaptured by the NDF and Iraqi military which is well-motivated with the fighting spirit of audacity and boldness. In this regard, recently Iraqi forces have defeated the ISIS terrorists and liberated the city of Ramadi which was occupied by the group in 2014. Now, without caring for their lives, Russia-led forces are successfully achieving their objectives.
Here question arises, as to why unlike the Russia-led combatants, the US-led forces have been demoralized. In this connection, it is important to know that in every kind of war, the victory or defeat depends upon the soldiers who know that for whom they are fighting for, and for what cause.
In this context, Russian President Putin has pointed out that he was exposing the secret designs of the US global war on terror—New World Order agents, their collaboration with the Zionist-led regime in America and Israel including fake war against ISIS. Regarding NATO countries, Putin also clarified by saying that he is attacking the New World Order, “not because he wants to establish some kind of super-power entity in the Western world, but because the New World Order is imposing an irrational, irresponsible and unlivable ideology upon much of the West.”
The people of the Russian Federation are in unity with the Russian forces, which is the main reason behind their great courage. Similar is true in case of the Syria’s NDF and Iraq-Iran military entities.
On the other side, America-led forces know that they are fighting for the interests of the Zionist Jews and Israel. Particularly, the US military personnel are well-aware of the facts that they have been sent abroad—Afghanistan, Syria and elsewhere in the world to maintain the supremacy of Israel, instead of protecting America whose citizens have been facing multi-faceted crises due to the prolonged phony war on terror. It is the major factor which have demoralized the US forces.
Obama’s dual policy and contradictory approach have also demoralized the US-led forces. In this respect, earlier, he had ordered the Defense Department to abandon the goal of training the Syrian rebels, after the failure of the US-supported rebels to topple Assad’s government, but, afterwards, he decided to send 50 Special Forces to Syria to help in eliminating the ISIS terrorists. Similarly, he agreed to keep the Syrian President Assad in power, but, later on, he backed out from his statement and remarked that the Assad would have to go. Then, again, he is favouring the Vienna meeting where the US Secretary of State John Kerry has agreed to maintain Assad in power. Meanwhile, ordinary Americans have been criticizing the double game of President Obama, military establishment and the US useless proxy wars which are being waged for the interests of Israel, at the cost of American tax-payers.
While comparing factors of moral force and ‘demoralization’ in connection with the combatants of this ‘different conflict’, it is also of particular attention that despite the use of every possible technique of state terrorism, the well-equipped Israeli and Indian security forces have, totally, failed in suppressing the wars of liberation in the occupied territories of the Palestine and Kashmir where freedom fishers’ resistance continues unabated.
‘Demoralization’ of the US-backed forces in Afghanistan, Syria, controlled territories of the Palestine etc. have resulted into their frustration and depression. Hence, they are killing the innocent persons through special military operations and aerial bombardment. Likewise, the US-assisted ISIS terrorists and their affiliated militant groups have also been massacring the innocent people, including their own warriors who have vacated the regions in Syria and Iraq. Many demoralized ISIS militants have deserted their comrades. They have also lost the support of local Muslims who have come to know that these brutal militants are distorting the image of Islam, and are misinterpreting Jihad which does not permit the any sort of terrorism. Moreover, in frustration, US have so far killed several soldiers of its own army and those of Afghan army in the friendly fire incidents, especially in Afghanistan.
Without any doubt, we can conclude that the US-led forces and the ISIS terrorists have been demoralized in this ‘different war’, as they are fighting for the supremacy of Israel in the entire world.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations
Email: [email protected]
Courtesy Veterans Today
Posted by admin in Sajjad Shaukat's Column, Under Sajjad Shaukat's Magnifying Glass on May 4th, 2015
Every year, the Pakistan Army commemorates Youm-e-Shuhada (Martyrs Day) on April 30 and the whole nation joins it to pay tribute to the departed souls of those valiant army officials who sacrificed their lives for the safety and security of the country and its people.
Several ceremonies are being held at the Garrisons all over the country, but the main ceremony is being held at Yadqar-e-Shuhada, General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi. The families and relatives of the martyrs (Shuhada), serving and retired officers including people, belonging to various segments of society are invited to attend a function at the GHQ to pay tribute to the national heroes. Similarly, a sizeable number of near and dear ones of the martyrs are invited to attend the functions at the Corps Headquarters.
This time, Youm-e-Shuhada has come at a time when Pakistan and its armed forces have been facing a different war, while enemy is also different, which employs subversive activities of various kinds which also include internal and external challenges. In these terms, Pakistan is in the state of new war.
In this respect, our Armed Forces have almost successfully obtained their objectives in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) including Khyber Agency through military operation Zarb-e-Azb against the terrorists who had challenged the writ of the state, and had frightened the entire nation by their terror-acts. Pakistan has perennially been facing subversive activities and sectarian violence in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi and other parts of the country including tribal areas where security forces are coping with the militants.
Externally, Pak Army and Rangers have boldly been responding to India’s unprovoked firing at the Line of Control in Kashmir and Working Boundary in Sialkot. While, the fundamentalist party BJP led by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is implementing anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistan agenda. In this context, BJP leader Dr. Subramaniam Swamy, a staunch promoter of Hindutva (Hindu nationalism) stated on July 12, 2014 that India needed only two years to defeat Pakistan militarily, and the only solution of Kashmir was war, as “there is no peaceful, solution.
And, Pakistan’s security forces have also faced cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan side, encountering heavily-armed militants who from time to time, targeted Army’s check posts, and other civil and military installations.
However, services of Pak Army cannot be explained in words. They always make us proud. They stood first in the time of national crisis and natural calamities. Their untiring sincere efforts mark the defence of Pakistan with an ultimate assurance to safeguard the country at all heads.
We are proud to have such great sons, because these are the heroes who really make history— the martyrs. The sacrifices of our Shuhada are what make our defence unconquerable.
Pakistan’s armed forces are our strategic assets and first line of defence. Whether it be frustrating enemy’s nefarious designs on the borders and fighting off internal enemies, horrifying the state or it may be the difficult times of natural catastrophes, these bold soldiers have strengthened and fortified the motherland by leaving no stone unturned. Every Pakistani salutes to those brave sons of the soil, who always ensure our safety by keeping the frontiers safe. The alertness and resolve of our soldiers in looking out—day and night for all internal and external enemies, and who are always ready to confront the mayhem of severe conditions from the scorching deserts to the icy glaciers in the face of death with no fear—help the persons in tiring times of calamities, leaving their families behind in their determination to provide protection to all the families of our country, and thus make them real national heroes.
Today, the whole nation stands by our soldiers who are guarding our borders and days will prove that the war against terrorism will not finish us, while the terrorists themselves will be eliminated by our valiant soldiers who desire to be martyrs and are not afraid of death. Caravans of Shuhada will continue forever. We salute all the soldiers of Pakistan, who are sacrificing their today for our tomorrow. However, surely martyrs are gladly giving up their bodies to torture and death-the trustworthy heroes of our history.
Nevertheless, the importance of the Youm-e-Shuhada, this year has been increased, as the nation stood by forces when they have also been made target of malevolent campaign, being launched by the anti-Pakistan foreign entities.
In this regard, while playing national songs on the occasion, the TV channels must also give a matching response to the hostile forces which are working against the integrity of the country, and are distorting the image of Pak Army.
It is mentionable that last year, while offering Fateha for the martyrs Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Raheel Sharif delivered a remarkable speech at Yadgar-e-Shuhada ceremony. He said, “The commitment of Pakistan armed forces to democracy and the Constitution is a matter of satisfaction and also a matter of huge significance.” Gen. Raheel Sharif’s declaration of his devotion to media’s freedom and his tributes to the media were highly significant. He pointed out, “The people and the Army are on the same page on all the important matters.”
Gen. Raheel Sharif also expressed the Army’s point of view on terrorism and the Kashmir issue, and elaborated, He supports every attempt made for eliminating terrorism.” And, he convincingly highlighted the importance of the Kashmir issue, saying, “Pakistan is a peace-loving country, but if the country is ever subjected to aggression, it is fully capable of giving a befitting reply.”
Besides, stressing the need of unity among all segments of society, he concluded, “Pakistan’s armed forces are keeping a close vigil on the internal and external challenges and were fully capable of meeting all the threats to the security of the country…the armed forces remained alert round the clock for the defence of the motherland.”
Nonetheless, during this very day, the Yaum-e-Shuhada, people of Pakistan laud the unparalleled sacrifices of the soldiers, paying them tribute, as they are the real heroes of the country.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations
Email: [email protected]
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