Questions tagged [military]
Questions related to the military. This may include questions about the actions or inaction of the military, the armed forces themselves or government action related to the military.
142
questions
3
votes
0answers
43 views
UK: “limited nuclear strike” policy (history, details, politics, etc)
In a recent submission to a UK parliamentary committee the former chief of the navy (Lord West) was talking about a policy change which surprised me, that "recently" (some point in the last 10-20 ...
3
votes
1answer
210 views
Russian military bases in Germany: judicially possible? [closed]
The US has many military bases in Germany, e.g. 34 Army bases, Ramstein Airbase, etc.
Discounting politics, what would be judicial hurdles to setting up a Russian military base in Germany? Is there ...
10
votes
2answers
341 views
In American politics is the “free ride” problem (Japanese defence spending) acknowledged as a direct consequence of American strategy?
I have been reading an article from The Atlantic which was published in 1989, on the question of whether Japan enjoys a "free ride" with regards to defence spending. This is a topic which has ...
3
votes
4answers
345 views
Why do South and Latin American countries have small armies?
The examples in South and Latin America of countries with a small military are numerous:
Mexico: only five F5F fighters, an old airplane that was nearly obsolete in the 1990s. The navy is only a ...
-3
votes
1answer
133 views
Is the CIA responsible for overseeing all US military black-ops missions on foreign soil?
Is the CIA responsible for overseeing all US military black-ops missions on foreign soil? I am wondering if it's the CIA that oversees all military black-ops mission on foreign soil, or the Pentagon ...
3
votes
2answers
460 views
Fate of countries without any army when attacked
What happens to countries which don't have any standing army, when attacked by any other country, terrorists, etc.?
Even though only politically less significant or relatively more peaceful ...
1
vote
3answers
417 views
Why won't the U.S. move more rapidly towards modernizing its army?
Why won't the U.S. move more rapidly towards modernizing its army? By that, I mean why, for instance, the U.S. won't replace conventional fighter jets with attack drones and replace big and ...
6
votes
0answers
88 views
Why would the Sudanese protest movement insist on a 3-year period before elections?
On BBC's website, there'a an article entitled Sudan crisis: What you need to know. Some of what's said in there sounds kind of off to me.
So, a protest movement has pushed the military leadership to ...
1
vote
1answer
276 views
If Russia intentionally shot down flight MH-17, what would be the benefit to Russia? [closed]
Four suspects, three Russians and one Ukrainian, have been charged with the shooting-down of flight MH-17.
If Russia intentionally shot down this plane, in what way would this benefit Russia? That ...
18
votes
1answer
3k views
Does nuclear propulsion applied to military ships fall under civil or military nuclear power?
From what I know very few countries are authorized to possess nuclear weapons, although a few others might secretly have some. But using nuclear power for civilian use (to produce electricity) is ...
0
votes
1answer
102 views
Why did Turkey not wait until after acquiring US F-35 before initiating talks with Russia about S-400? [closed]
The United States has blocked shipment of F-35 technology to Turkey over a Turkish decision to purchase S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia. Why didn't Turkey wait until they had ...
38
votes
7answers
12k views
Why does the U.S military use mercenaries?
With a defense budget now totaling ~686-billion dollars a year – which is about the size of the next 8 largest defense budgets combined (figure) – why does the U.S military see the need to ...
-8
votes
2answers
346 views
Why do world governments allow North Korea to continue to exist with it's current government? [closed]
I was recently listening to the story of a North Korean defector that was born and raised in internment camp #14. Hearing about the horrendous conditions, the brutal treatment of people, and the ...
1
vote
2answers
104 views
Are cost effectiveness studies regularly done for weapon systems?
Possibly I have some economist bias, but I'm used to idea of assessing cost effectiveness. In a few cases, when there was something like political debate in my country, I tried to google basic fact ...
2
votes
1answer
292 views
Did US vice president Pence say anything close to “by any means necessary”?
I have not been able to find a transcript of US vice president Pence's recent (26-Mar-2019) speech to the US Space Council. This one is from last year.
The phrase By any means necessary carries a ...
-3
votes
2answers
268 views
Why doesn't US use military force to retrieve citizens from North Korea?
There have been several American citizens detained in North Korea and one mortally injured during his incarceration. Under what circumstances do countries (such as the USA) use military force to ...
7
votes
3answers
366 views
What arguments do proponents of the second amendment use to conclude that gun ownership helps protect the people against the government?
It is said the reason for the second amendment to the US constitution is protection from an oppressive government.
Should push come to shove, although hugely outnumbered in personnel numbers, the US ...
3
votes
1answer
111 views
What happens in transfer of technology in defence deals
As per an article, Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), Mumbai, is manufacturing six Scorpene submarines under technology transfer from Naval Group of France under a 2005 contract.
I don't understand the term ...
-4
votes
2answers
286 views
Conscription rights if UK Locked in Backstop
Does the EU have the power to develop a European Army, and to conscript European citizens into it?
If so, would the Northern Ireland Backstop mean that UK citizens could also be conscripted into this ...
1
vote
1answer
135 views
Can defense acquisitions by countries be kept secret?
Or are they usually are? Take for example between US and its allies. In modern days, are there any safe guards for them to be kept classified. Or safeguards to be kept transparent?
Take for example: ...
2
votes
0answers
120 views
Why did South African soldiers choose EO over UNITA?
This is a question concerning Executive Outcomes and UNITA. I concede this question is slightly Tom Clancy-esque, but I think now that these events have been largely declassified all these decades ...
0
votes
2answers
129 views
Why aren't there any protectorate anymore?
Republic of Minerva looks good. It fails in one thing. It fails to protect itself.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minerva_Reefs
Capitalism is good for pretty much everything but security. So a rich ...
1
vote
0answers
75 views
What concessions did India make to get jets 9% cheaper in the Rafale deal
The Modi government claims that the Rafale deal it brokered is cheaper than the original deal by 9%. How did it achieve this? What concessions did Modi give to Dassault in order to get the deal at a ...
12
votes
2answers
418 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
158 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
158 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
154 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
112 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
374 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
295 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
298 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
987 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
281 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
426 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
248 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
16k 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
460 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
162 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
8k 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
398 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
558 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
171 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
9k 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
366 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
7k 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 ...
7
votes
3answers
324 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 ...
17
votes
9answers
11k 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 ...
