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snaark wrote:Seriously, is this what the world is afraid of?
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=5b8_1461952655
snaark wrote:Seriously, is this what the world is afraid of?
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=5b8_1461952655
nowonmai wrote:snaark wrote:Seriously, is this what the world is afraid of?
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=5b8_1461952655
No. The 'world is afraid' of militant branches of Islam taking serious root, leading to increasing regional instability and the potential for the emergence of intercommunal violence in western societies. So the question is flawed.
Even if the question were not flawed, this would be like finding a piece of footage of some US soldiers making asses of themselves and asking the same question. Even if this snapshot were to be considered statistically and strategically insightful, then an informed commentary would be cognisant of the fact that mechanised warfare requires a high degree of individual and collective training. On that basis, one would conclude that the individual behaviour exhibited by these combatants was not particularly poor, considering the operational conditions which prevail against IS. First, they all participated and used their weapons, and were reasonably well equipped. This is not a universal constant in combat. Second, they were sufficiently motivated to press the assault against a dug in enemy over open ground. The biggest tactical flaw was the plan itself, which clearly underestimated their enemy's anti-tank capability, but that could be for any number of reasons outwith their control. Thirdly their morale seemed reasonably good and despite a bit of combat bitching, they appeared to be cohesive. Finally, the combatant who was last seen advancing towards the enemy over open ground under heavy fire, discharging his weapon in their direction displayed a significant degree of courage and commitment which may indicate that a proportion of their number will fight to the bitter end in combat. Such behaviour, aggregated at an operational level, may indicate that the recapture of all of the territory currently occupied by IS may require significant combat power to effect this.
However, I do appreciate the propaganda value of the video as it undermines the stylised material which is released by IS for their heroic narrative propaganda purposes. Most people have no military or combat experience but have an idealised image of soldiers' behaviour in combat which has been informed through popular culture (film, media, gaming). Many will therefore consider these individuals to be somewhat feckless and comedic. Although this would be a poorly judged conclusion to draw, if it deters one person from buying a flight to Jannah then it will have at least done some good.
seektravelinfo wrote:Then what was your point in posting the Vice video with your accompanying rhetorical question?
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