Questions tagged [military]
Questions related to that of the military of any country applicable. May include questions about the actions or inaction of the military or questions about the armed forces themselves or questions about government action related to the military.
12
votes
2answers
356 views
Why would a US armed forces branch not give back a property (it took over during wartime) for free?
Short context (inspired by a post on Aviation.SE):
In 1941 the Navy took over Bennett airfield in NYC and banned all commercial and civilian flights. After WWII the airfield was meant to return to ...
2
votes
1answer
109 views
Are Russian, North Korean and other countries' show of strength aimed for a domestic or international audience?
I don't know if I'm asking this on a correct site but here it goes. I've noticed this trend on many occasions. Examples: recently Russia announced the start of production of new "superweapons" such as ...
1
vote
1answer
147 views
On what basis is matériel used in EU military operations?
On what basis is matériel used in EU military operations?
For example, Operation Sophia is the EU military mission to interdict people smuggling routes in the Mediterranean.
On what basis are the ...
1
vote
1answer
145 views
Who commands Operation Sophia?
Operation Sophia (formerly EU NAVFOR Med) is an ongoing European Union military operation, established in 2015 to interdict refugee smuggling routes in the Mediterranean Sea.
Who commands this ...
4
votes
1answer
96 views
Are UN peacekeeping operations decided via unanimity?
The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations looks after UN peacekeeping interventions.
Do these operations require unanimous support, majority support or something else?
13
votes
2answers
3k views
What are the arguments for the militarisation of the European Union?
Since Maastricht the European Union has been developing a military element. Firstly with the Common Foreign and Security Policy, then (via the Western European Union vehicle) the European Security and ...
2
votes
1answer
328 views
Why are dams so controversial in Pakistan?
Given the situation of water in Pakistan and seriousness that can be raised due to lack of water, why is the construction of dams in Pakistan so controversial? E.g., nowadays Mohmand Dam is very ...
1
vote
1answer
278 views
What happened to the steam catapult topic?
In mid 2017 Donald Trump communicated to the press, that the US Navy would not be going forward with the electric aircraft carrier catapult system (around which the new Ford class aircraft carrier has ...
6
votes
2answers
249 views
Criticism of Trump's drawdown of forces in Afghanistan, what would be the alternatives?
We've recently seen high level departures from defence officials in the Trump administration. And criticism and concern by allied governments.
Those frustrations are motivated largely by the US ...
11
votes
1answer
942 views
Do countries inform each other about ballistic missile test launches?
Informing potential adversaries about intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test looks logical, to not trigger false alert.
I can't find any info - do countries do it? Do some protocols exist for ...
2
votes
1answer
211 views
How does “the military” control Pakistan?
I read recently that PM Imran Khan literally holds no power in Pakistan, and that every decision he takes is drastically influenced by the military. How?
Isn't the military, owned by the government?
...
0
votes
2answers
309 views
Where does China buy its hi-tech weapons from other than Russia?
If US sanction on Russia kicks in, where can China look for buying its hi-tech weapons?
Does China have any source other than Russia to buy its weapons from?
.
P.S. By hi-tech weapons, I meant ...
1
vote
1answer
219 views
Can a militia (for example, a mafia's armed wing) defeat a nation's army and take over the government? [closed]
As the question suggests, is there a scenario where a mafia or some sort of armed gang roll out their forces on public roads, then attack the nation's army and declare a coup?
If this were possible, ...
45
votes
12answers
15k views
Why isn't demilitarization used as a defensive strategy?
If a country was to disband any and all of its military, and sell off its military assets, wouldn't it be an effective way to prevent an invasion? Because after this, it's clear to anyone that this ...
2
votes
1answer
440 views
Who designed the proposed Space Force logos?
On August 9, 2018, the Trump administration provided several proposed logos for their planned Space Force. Who designed these logos? Is there some government organization that is tasked with creating ...
5
votes
2answers
148 views
Negative impact of the Ottawa treaty / Convention for Cluster Munitions for the modern army?
The Ottawa treaty prohibits anti-personal mines, the Convention for Cluster Munitions prohibits cluster munitions. Several nations with modern armies are signatories of the treaty.
I was wondering if ...
17
votes
4answers
3k views
Politicians to remove sexism in registration for potential conscription in the USA?
According to Wikipedia, only men are required to register for the draft with the Selective Service System in the US.
Some feminists want equal conditions for men and women.
Are there any USA ...
33
votes
2answers
7k views
Why was Congress able to create an Air Force without a constitutional amendment?
Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution enumerates the powers of Congress and includes the creation of military forces:
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use ...
0
votes
1answer
358 views
Do any European politicians advocate for creating an European Army and leaving NATO?
The United Kingdom with figures such as Thatcher being against a European army (ref here) and Tony Blair (ref here) who was for it, have been the most sceptical country towards the creation of a ...
6
votes
2answers
544 views
Do any European politicians advocate shutting down American bases in Europe?
The USA has military bases all over the world (including in some EU countries such us Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece) which is expensive to their economy. List of military bases here. On ...
3
votes
1answer
161 views
Have some of Russian troops withdrawn from Syria since Putin's announcement in december 2017?
On 11 december 2017, Vladimir Putin announced that Russian army would partially withdraw from Syria.
"In two years, the Russian armed forces, together with the Syrian army, have defeated the most ...
38
votes
3answers
8k views
What was Eisenhower's warning about?
Eisenhower in his farewell address warned the American people about the United States Military Industrial Complex and its emerging power.
According to Wikipedia The US spends more on the military ...
3
votes
2answers
310 views
Legality of attacking an occupier by third-party forces within partially-occupied state
Suppose state A is (illegally, militarily) occupying some of the territory of state B (denote the occupied part B1 and the unoccupied part B2). Suppose also that state B is allied with state C, and ...
10
votes
6answers
6k views
What makes countries dependent on US-supplied defense equipment?
I was reading that the USA is blocking Turkey from acquiring F-35s. Turkey is reportedly anxious, and throwing some hollow threats.
I have two questions regarding this:
Why are countries like Turkey ...
6
votes
3answers
292 views
Are there examples of military forces that aren't rigidly authoritarian?
We commonly think of military forces as being rigidly hierarchical, and committed to following orders to a suicidal extreme for individual soldiers. But, are there examples of military forces ...
35
votes
9answers
10k views
Why would Assad use chemical weapons in the civil war as of 2018?
The US has recently accused the Syrian government of using chemical weapons in the civil war. However it seems to me that Assad has little to gain from doing so:
Chemical weapons give a casus belli ...
16
votes
8answers
9k views
How are states supposed to protect themselves when the National Guard is under the federal government?
Recall the second amendment:
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Great, so states have ...
-1
votes
1answer
739 views
How many troops would it take to guard the US/Mexico border? [closed]
CNN reports here, that Donald Trump said
Until we can have a wall and proper security,
we're going to be guarding our border with the military
Wikipedia, which ought to be as good a source as ...
1
vote
0answers
77 views
Why didn't the PPP government of pakistan face any problem from the military?
Between 2008 and 2013, the Pakistan Peoples Party government engaged in several high profile disputes with the military
Osama bin Laden capture
memogate scandal + Hussain Haqqani's release
Raymond ...
7
votes
2answers
190 views
Have congressional hearings any effect concerning military scandals?
While I was researching the topic of the F-35 I noticed a certain pattern in military politics which comes up again and again.
In the TFX program Boeing was the clear winner of the Request For ...
3
votes
3answers
263 views
Countries with nondemanding military?
I live in Switzerland and recently had to join military. To my surprise, it turned out I can go back home during weekends. Only exception is when you're assigned to guard duty, when you need to stay ...
2
votes
1answer
259 views
Why is the US military enlistment age (and previously the draft age) set at 18 years old?
When was this age for enlistment and/or the draft established? Has it ever been challenged?
1
vote
1answer
112 views
What's the standard procedure for responding to an overt domestic tyranny event? [closed]
Are there actually protocols and contingencies for the extreme hypothetical situation of if our government tries to establish a dictator? Is it decided who the military sides with? What happens if the ...
2
votes
2answers
179 views
Is stopping and searching vessels in Asia-Pacific waters to enforce North-Korean sanctions consistent with the US Coast Guard's mandate?
The Reuters news report Exclusive: U.S. prepares high-seas crackdown on North Korea sanctions evaders - sources begins with the sentence:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration and key ...
3
votes
1answer
297 views
Longest known chain of command? [closed]
What's the longest known chain of command length for any government or large organization, (legal or illegal)? For example, WP's abstract military organization chain length is 11:
corporal
sergeant
...
4
votes
4answers
812 views
How does US manage to maintain such a high military expenditure?
Note: this is somewhat related to this question
US clearly dominates the world when it comes to military expenditure, both in % of GDP and nominal value.
This answer indicates that West European ...
18
votes
1answer
611 views
How are women integrated into the North Korean military?
Background
Korean People's Army soldiers (per Wikipedia)
About 25% of North Korea's population is in either an active duty role or a reserve/paramilitary role in the Korean People's Army, and North ...
2
votes
1answer
154 views
Does Pakistan have the power to force allied foreign troops to leave the country? [closed]
Recently President Trump had criticised Pakistan over the supposed inaction of Pakistan towards terrorists. The funding is a kind of compensation for military support in form of bases and other things....
2
votes
1answer
271 views
Swiss military neutrality and the three roles for the military
Basic question - there are (were) three purposes for the military at the time of the Peace of Westphalia (tell me if I'm wrong).. Internal defense (crime, rebellion), conquest, defense.
Swiss ...
1
vote
0answers
94 views
What is the policy regarding the safety pin of a firearm in the US Armed Forces? [closed]
Background
Last night I watched Black Hawk Down once again, and for the first time consciously thought about this particular scene featuring a Delta operative and a Ranger.
Now I know it is a movie,...
0
votes
2answers
339 views
Why don't various democratic countries keep military as the 4th component of the check and balance?
We regularly see militaries seize power from Democratic governments (Egypt). In some countries, military ruled for decades (Spain), in some countries military has considerable influnce on the decision ...
3
votes
1answer
216 views
What has changed the US Americans view of the military service members? [closed]
As a foreigner, I'm puzzled by the way U.S. citizens treat their military service members. Almost as if they are put on a pedestal above all else (don't mean to offend). People are always saying "...
1
vote
0answers
363 views
What is the role of the South Korean military service in case of a war with North Korea
South Korea is still officially at war with North Korea and Kim Jeong-Eun, the North Korean leader, regularly threatens to attack the South to various extents.
South Korea has a mandatory military ...
8
votes
3answers
570 views
Is America the only country where army officer appointments have to be confirmed by congress?
Are there any other countries where army officer appointments have to be confirmed by parliament/congress?
7
votes
2answers
383 views
Under what circumstances are military personnel not combatants?
In U.S. policy, when are military personnel not combatants?
This question is inspired by a comment that jpmc26 left on my answer here. The comment says:
I'm not sure "noncombatant targets" ...
10
votes
5answers
5k views
What exactly is the purpose of the Non-Proliferation Treaty when nuclear weapons can be substituted with conventional explosives?
With the destructive power of nuclear weapons, it's understandable the concerted effort by many world bodies to vigorously regulate and control the ownership of nuclear weapons. The NPT is one of such ...
3
votes
1answer
442 views
How did the FBI decide antifa were anarchists?
US security services DHS and FBI have studied the "antifa" movement and described its members as anarchists and terrorists. Honestly, I was not aware of any antifa terror attacks, nor any connection ...
4
votes
1answer
2k views
When did modern Middle-Eastern terrorism start?
Terrorism, specifically coming from the Middle East, has been an epidemic. It has stretched across the globe from US, France, UK, Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Germany and even parts of ...
1
vote
1answer
257 views
Is the “War in Afganistan” a US military mission or a NATO Mission?
The NATO Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan encompass about 13,500 troops, of which about 8,400 are members of US military assigned to NATO.
NATO describes the Resolute Support as a "training, ...
17
votes
4answers
6k views
Why is the US president commander-in-chief?
Democratic governments are often set up in such a way that no single person holds too much power, even the president/prime minister/etc.
In the US, you e.g. have the Congress. This means that if the ...
