Foreword

Abstract

Military is the most important player in war, whether it is international war or intra-national. Although war continues to take place in human history, the nature of the war and its organization has drastically changed over time. The role of technology and nuclear weapons, etc. have changed the ways wars are fought. Also boundaries of states involved in the war have changed since the distinction between state and nation has been blurred. Terrorism has also affected the nature of war. Covert operations also substituted direct military confrontation. Coalition formation against a common enemy is common and international organization's support sometimes necessitates international peacekeepers. The role of subregional organizations as opposed to international organizations like the U.N. has become prominent. The demand and supply of soldiers, their socialization process, hired soldiers, draftees and volunteers, and the role of gender within the army all are playing significant parts. Due to the economic situation in most countries, the resource for hiring more soldiers has been drastically reduced. Retrenchments of professional soldiers are distinct possibilities in many countries; aging of the population is putting the quality and quantity in recruitment in question. This book contains several articles addressing the issues written by some well known scholars and practitioners.

Citation

Chatterji, M. (2012), "Foreword", Kümmel, G. and Soeters, J. (Ed.) New Wars, New Militaries, New Soldiers: Conflicts, the Armed Forces and the Soldierly Subject (Contributions to Conflict Management, Peace Economics and Development, Vol. 19), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, p. xi. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1572-8323(2012)0000019003