Bombing

Description

Destroying property and/or individuals through the use of explosives. Bombings can be used to destroy an opponent's resolve or to put pressure on the public to act. The sort of attack which combines explosives with the suicidal operator of a vehicle allows the bombing of locations to which access is difficult. New technology permits the use of devices that are smaller, easier to deliver and more powerful than ever before. Perpetrators need not be present.

Implementation

Attacks such as Hiroshima and the USA Embassy in Beirut were used to affect an opponent's resolve. IRA bombings in London and bombing in American abortion clinics are designed to create public pressure on the government to act. World War II Kamikaze fighter pilots and bombing of the peace keeping forces in Beirut can create images of heroic efforts among perpetrators and the inability of enemies to prevent such attacks. Technical training for making and delivering bombs accompany preparation for bombing as a strategy. Communication also needs to be established with the enemy to affect the opinion of the government or the public.

Claim

When well executed technically, bombing offers the advantages of reliable timing, easy access to materials and large impact on the public's imagination.

Bombing used as a military strategy can destroy quantities of resources and disrupt the capacity to deliver people and materials to battle fields. Bombing used as a terrorist strategy can tie up large numbers of police and military resources trying to prevent further bombings.

Counter-claim

Bombing as a military strategy usually does not result in a decrease in resolve but in an increase in resolve and increasingly effective means of dealing with the strategy by the public.

Used as a terrorist strategy it can result in negative public opinion.

The purpose of military destruction cannot just be a show of strength. It is better to be persistent and patient rather than to bomb, if it can be avoided.