War n' Military Conflicts

Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA)

A fundamental shift in military strategy driven by technological advancements like precision-guided weapons, real-time surveillance, and networked warfare.

Military-Technical Revolution (MTR)

A Soviet-originated concept referring to the radical transformation of warfare through advanced weaponry, information technology, and computational systems.

Force Multipliers

Technologies or strategies that significantly increase the effectiveness of a military force without requiring more personnel, such as satellites, drones, and electronic warfare.

Asymmetric Warfare

A type of conflict where a weaker force uses unconventional tactics like cyberwarfare, terrorism, and guerrilla warfare to counter a technologically superior opponent.

Jointness

The integration of multiple military branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps) into a coordinated and networked force to increase operational effectiveness.

Fog of War

The uncertainty and confusion that arise in combat due to limited or misleading information, impacting battlefield decision-making.

Battlespace Dominance

The ability to control and influence every aspect of a battlefield, including land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains, ensuring operational superiority.

Network-Centric Warfare (NCW)

A military strategy emphasizing real-time information sharing between units to enhance battlefield awareness and decision-making speed.

Precision-Guided Munitions (PGMs)

Smart weapons, such as JDAM bombs and Tomahawk missiles, that use GPS, lasers, or infrared targeting to strike precise targets with minimal collateral damage.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Drones used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat airstrikes, such as the Predator and Reaper drones.

Stealth Technology

Military designs, such as the F-117 Nighthawk and B-2 Bomber, that minimize radar detection to reduce vulnerability in combat.

Zero-Circular Error Probable (Zero-CEP)

The theoretical goal of making precision-guided munitions so accurate that they always strike their intended target with no deviation.

C4ISR

Stands for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, forming the foundation of modern military decision-making and operations.

Data Fusion

The integration of real-time intelligence from multiple sources, such as satellites, drones, and electronic surveillance, to create a comprehensive battlefield picture.

Information Warfare (IW)

The strategic use of cyberattacks, hacking, misinformation, and electronic disruption as part of military operations to weaken adversaries.

Electronic Warfare (EW)

The disruption, interception, or jamming of enemy radar, GPS signals, and communication networks to reduce the effectiveness of enemy operations.

Hypersonic Cruise Vehicle (HCV)

A next-generation spaceplane capable of extreme speeds, allowing it to strike any target on Earth within hours while avoiding traditional missile defenses.

Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs)

Advanced weapon systems such as laser cannons and railguns that use concentrated energy to neutralize targets instead of traditional explosives.

Cyber Warfare

Military operations conducted in the digital realm, including hacking, network disruption, and cyberattacks targeting enemy infrastructure and military systems.

Missile Defense Systems

Anti-missile technologies designed to detect, intercept, and destroy incoming ballistic and cruise missile threats before they reach their targets.

Kinetic Kill Vehicles (KKVs)

Space-based weapons that use high-speed impact, rather than explosives, to destroy enemy missiles and satellites.

Orbital Lasers

Space-based directed-energy weapons capable of targeting missiles, satellites, and other strategic assets from orbit.

Soldier as Sensor

A concept where individual soldiers are equipped with digital devices that provide real-time battlefield intelligence, improving situational awareness.

Special Operations Forces (SOF)

Highly trained, technologically advanced military units specializing in unconventional warfare, counterterrorism, and rapid-response missions.

Artificial Intelligence in Warfare

The integration of AI-driven systems for predictive analytics, autonomous drones, cyber operations, and real-time decision support.

Autonomous Weapons Systems

Robotic and AI-driven combat systems capable of independent target acquisition, threat assessment, and engagement without direct human control.

Swarm Warfare

A strategy where large numbers of small, networked autonomous drones or robotic units operate in coordinated formations to overwhelm adversaries.

Moore’s Law in Military Tech

The principle that computing power doubles approximately every 18 months, enabling faster, more efficient, and miniaturized military technologies.

Smart Battlefields

Digitally integrated battle environments where AI, robotics, surveillance, and automated command systems work together for enhanced combat effectiveness.

Electronic Countermeasures (ECM)

Techniques used to disrupt or deceive enemy radars, communications, and electronic detection systems to protect friendly forces.

Satellite Reconnaissance

The use of orbital satellites for military surveillance, target tracking, communication, and intelligence gathering.

Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs)

Advanced high-speed maneuverable warheads capable of evading missile defense systems and striking targets with extreme precision.

Cyber-Physical Warfare

A military approach integrating cyber attacks with conventional force operations to disrupt enemy command structures and infrastructure.

System of Systems Warfare

A strategic approach that interconnects multiple high-tech systems, such as sensors, networks, and autonomous units, for maximum operational efficiency.

Digital Battlefield Awareness

The real-time integration of battlefield data from multiple sources, providing military leaders with a continuous operational picture.

Quantum Computing in Warfare

The potential use of quantum computing for breaking enemy encryption, optimizing logistics, and advancing predictive battlefield modeling.

Electronic Intelligence (ELINT)

The collection of enemy electronic signals, such as radar and communications, to analyze and predict enemy capabilities and movements.

Global Positioning System (GPS) in Warfare

Satellite-based navigation and targeting technology essential for precision strikes, military logistics, and battlefield coordination.

Urban Warfare Automation

The deployment of AI, drones, and robotics to enhance combat operations in densely populated urban environments.

Autonomous Naval Vessels

Unmanned warships and submarines equipped with AI-driven navigation, surveillance, and combat capabilities.

Multi-Domain Operations (MDO)

A military strategy integrating operations across land, air, sea, space, and cyberspace to achieve battlefield superiority.

Next-Generation Combat Vehicles (NGCVs)

AI-enhanced, networked armored vehicles designed for battlefield dominance with autonomous navigation and adaptive targeting.

Friendly Fire

When military forces accidentally attack their own personnel or allies, usually due to misidentification or poor coordination.

Proxy War

A conflict where two major powers support opposing factions rather than directly engaging in combat, such as the Vietnam War and the Soviet-Afghan War.

Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)

A long-range missile capable of delivering nuclear or conventional warheads over distances greater than 5,500 kilometers.

Main Battle Tank (MBT)

The primary heavily-armored combat tank used in modern armies, designed for firepower, mobility, and protection, such as the M1 Abrams and Leopard 2.

Causes of Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Ukraine’s pro-European movement, Russia’s annexation of Crimea, opposition to NATO/EU integration.

Origins of Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Euromaidan protests in 2013-2014 led to the ousting of President Yanukovych, triggering Russian intervention.

Key Dates of Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, war in Donbas began in 2014-2015, and Russia launched a full-scale invasion in 2022.

Consequences of Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Over 10 million displaced, economic devastation in Ukraine, and Western sanctions imposed on Russia.

Causes of Syrian Civil War

Arab Spring protests, government repression, sectarian tensions, and foreign interventions.

Origins of Syrian Civil War

Protests in 2011 escalated after the Assad regime’s violent crackdown on demonstrators.

Key Dates of Syrian Civil War

Protests began in 2011, chemical attacks in 2013, ISIS declared a caliphate in 2014, and Russia intervened in 2015.

Consequences of Syrian Civil War

700,000+ dead, over 15 million displaced, ongoing war and humanitarian crisis.

Causes of Afghanistan War

U.S. invaded Afghanistan in response to 9/11, targeting the Taliban for harboring Osama bin Laden.

Origins of Afghanistan War

The U.S. and NATO launched Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001 to overthrow the Taliban.

Key Dates of Afghanistan War

U.S. invaded in 2001, Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011, and the Taliban regained control in 2021.

Consequences of Afghanistan War

250,000+ killed, U.S. withdrawal seen as a failure, and Afghanistan remains politically unstable.

Causes of Iraq War

U.S. claimed Iraq had WMDs, Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship, and post-9/11 War on Terror policies.

Origins of Iraq War

The U.S. launched a preemptive invasion in 2003 to remove Saddam Hussein and establish a democratic government.

Key Dates of Iraq War

U.S. invasion in 2003, Battle of Fallujah in 2004, Saddam Hussein executed in 2006, and U.S. withdrawal in 2011.

Consequences of Iraq War

Rise of ISIS, prolonged insurgency, mass civilian casualties, and continued instability in Iraq.

Causes of Battle of Fallujah

Sunni insurgents resisted the U.S. occupation, and U.S. retaliated after four American contractors were killed.

Origins of Battle of Fallujah

Fallujah became a stronghold for Al-Qaeda in Iraq and other insurgents following the 2003 invasion.

Key Dates of Battle of Fallujah

The First Battle occurred in April 2004, ending in a U.S. withdrawal, and the Second Battle in Nov-Dec 2004 resulted in a U.S. victory.

Consequences of Battle of Fallujah

Heavy urban combat, destruction of the city, increased anti-U.S. sentiment, and insurgents spread elsewhere.

Causes of Iran-Iraq War

Saddam Hussein sought to expand Iraqi territory, feared Iran’s Islamic Revolution, and disputed borders.

Origins of Iran-Iraq War

Iraq invaded Iran in 1980 over control of the Shatt al-Arab waterway and regional dominance.

Key Dates of Iran-Iraq War

Iraq invaded in 1980, and the war ended in a stalemate in 1988.

Consequences of Iran-Iraq War

Over 500,000 dead, widespread chemical weapons use, and economic devastation in both countries.

Causes of Gulf War (1990-1991)

Iraq invaded Kuwait over oil disputes and economic problems following the Iran-Iraq War.

Origins of Gulf War (1990-1991)

Saddam Hussein claimed Kuwait as historically Iraqi territory and occupied it in August 1990.

Key Dates of Gulf War (1990-1991)

Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, and the U.S.-led coalition launched Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

Consequences of Gulf War (1990-1991)

Iraq suffered sanctions, Saddam’s power weakened, and U.S. established military presence in the region.

Sadam Hussein (Iraq)

Muammar Gaddafi (Libya)

Bashar Al-Assad (Syria)

Mohammad Mossadegh (Iran)

Kim Jong-Un (North Korea)

Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Ukraine)

Vladimir Putin (Russia)

Xi Jingping (China)

Tsai Ing-Wen (Taiwan)

Hosni Mubarak

Zine El Abidine Ben Ali