Air strikes will not work

Submitted by Prashant (United States), Jun 5, 2015 at 13:41

Dear Dr Pipes,

I agree with you that air strikes will not work in the long run because they do not lead to controlling the land. Besides, no matter how precise air strikes are, they lead to death and destruction of civilian population and property (specially when civilian population and property is being used as shields against the air strike). I think air strikes should be used only to control and destroy intercity troop movements. And, innocent person killed or injured in a war, might lead to hundred new enemies so teh cost of colateral damage is higher than what may become apparent immediately. If the civilian population inside densely populated areas is getting harmed by the enemy, then blocking the supply lines through air strike and/or covert land operations and encouraging local resistance are the only viable options. But, of course, I am no military strategist.

Regarding your golden rule of war can controlling major troop movements and destroying supply lines indefinitely through air stikes to cripple the enemy be an effective strategy?

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