Post 9/11, Essay Example

The main concepts in this chapter seemed to be revolution and change. The first striking changes mentioned were those brought about by the September 11^th attacks on the World Trade center, which the authors describe as an action that disturbed the balance of the world. The event spurred on two other actions, the war in Afghanistan and the attack on Iraq. Both of these things, in turn, changed the way in which the world viewed those who participated in each action – including Canada.

Another interesting change mentioned in this chapter was that made when the United States declared “War on Terror.” This, according to the author, changed terrorism from a criminal act to an act of war. Also interesting in this chapter was the author’s discussion of the testing of RMA (Revolutionary Military Affairs) principles. The author notes that the RMA doctrine holds that if countries develop and use new technologies they can lessen the fog and friction of military actions. Indeed, says the author, the RMA claims that it will change the very nature of war. It is interesting that although many things about war have changed; including its actors, the fog of war has not disappeared or lessened. New technology has, instead, brought with it new challenges and frictions. The author concludes that the war on terror proves that RMA principles are flawed.

This lesson’s claim that that while new technologies have made short term military goals easier to achieve, western militaries have failed to achieve long-term goals is interesting, because it shows how good intentions can sometimes lead militaries astray. Some have suggested that the military’s concern with the course of the war actually hurt its ability to reach its goals. There is some irony in that fact.

The most frightening aspect of this lesson was its description of the enemies the world now faces. These enemies, it says, are “ill defined, ever changing, and motivated.” They can also blend in with the rest of the world’s population at any time. It is almost as if the world must fight an invisible foe.