Ways Of Strategically Reducing Cost Of War - Research Paper Example

Ways Of Strategically Reducing Cost Of War Executive summary The rise of terror wars for the past three decades in Iraq and Afghanistan has resulted to the loss of a huge amount of money as well as devastating impact. Conflicts arise due to various causes such as moral causes which include love for freedom. Other causes include economic causes and political influences. Some of the effects include millions of deaths, more millions have fled from their home ground, the countries infrastructure has been destroyed and finally there have been emotional costs which have led to depression. According to Bruce (2009) basing on the fiscal year 2010, about 1.09 trillion dollars have been spent after wars. The amount excludes funds request for the year 2011. This study focuses on individual experiences during the period of war and the aftermath. This study shows the many quantified costs that are caused by war. Some of these costs include humanitarian costs, economic costs, environmental and spiritual costs. The study also shows how government can set up strategies of reducing the above costs. One major strategy is that government should seek many ways of generating the more revenues capable for fighting terrorism. Some of these methods include increasing taxes especially to the higher income earners. These revenue funds should be used for the development of more security systems and to improve technology. Some of these systems should be used by the soldiers to detect their enemy. The funds should also be used to recruit more military forces that will be capable of maintaining enough security. Introduction Since the year 1980, the rise of conflicts increased new actors and phenomena for instance self defense groups were introduced. These groups were formed by drug traffickers in order to be capable of eliminating insurgent kidnapping and extortion for supporting drug cartels. According to Gelpi and Mueller (2006) since the September 11 terror attack, military operations have been introduced in the United States. One of these operations includes the Operation Enduring Freedom (OED) which operates mostly in Afghanistan and globally especially to countries such as Djibouti. The other initiative includes the Operation Noble Eagle (ONE) which ensures that the U.S military bases are secure and also ensures security in other areas. According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the marginal cost incurred by the Iraq and the Afghanistan government amounts to $ 10 billion per month. Soldiers especially have been spending most of the government’s revenue as each one of them spends $ 1 million per year. Considering the number of these soldiers which may be approximately 30, 0000, it shows how the government spends more funds which could otherwise be used in developing other sectors. Other funds are used for the provision of services such as training the security forces and changing the troops (Marcella, 2003). Due to the formidable destabilizing uprisings, most countries have developed policies and strategies meant for countering the threat. Most of these countries have adopted social reforms to defuse the political unrest in their countries. However, some governments have failed to devise strategies or set up policies that will help in the elimination of conflicts and stabilize the country. Certainly, some of these countries only give back feedback that only facilitates war and other illegal activities. Costs of war to the terrorists Terrorists have always acquired operational funds from criminal activities which include kidnapping, bank robberies, and protection taxes as well as other illegal businesses. However, other financial opportunities have been extended for instance through the introduction of cartels. There has been an increase in the demand for cocaine and heroine which has resulted to cartel. This has also enabled terrorists to maintain a beneficial but illegal industry that grows, processes, transports, and sells its products globally. The industry also avoids regulatory tariffs and other expenses that have to be incurred in the business. This shows that cartels have been of importance to terrorists as their ability to generate funds is increased. Most governments incur more costs in the process of maintaining security in the country. One example is where the Columbian government consists of 30,000 armed forces. Friedman (2004) shows that other defense groups in the country have about 8,000 personnel thus amounting to more costs. The country’s annual income is estimated to be $ 567 million. This shows that there is a bigger problem if the country has to maintain a war free environment. The problems would include financial problems since more funds are used in maintaining a strong, well-armed and well resourced opponent. The recent governmental initiatives have increasingly weakened most country’s opponent. Most governments have set up strategies for drastic reduction in the number of criminal offences such as kidnappings and planting of coca. This has greatly decreased the finances for the terrorist groups. Records have shown that terrorists are suffering heavy casualties due to lack of finances. It is estimated that the cost of war in the most affected places will be reduced. This will enable governments to solve social issues and also be capable of developing their economy. There are many kinds of costs which are incurred during war. These costs are analyzed below in order to enable governments to make possible solutions. To get to solve the problem, governments have to first analyze the source of the conflict and what facilitated to its success. This method of analysis enables one to set up strategies that will be necessary in the reduction of cost of war. Humanitarian costs The study taken does not adequately express the human costs of the war. These human costs include the number of people dead, or wounded, maimed, displaced or who turn out to be refugees. In the past decade, it is estimated that more than two million victims annually end up been displaced due to war. Most of these victims include farmers and people from ethnic minority group. This act reduced a country’s economy as farming reduces forcing the country spend more funds on feeding the displaced and on other humanitarian needs. Most of thee displaced individuals flee to other countries such as Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela and Panama. In Colombia for example, since 1996 to 2002, 200,000 citizens move annually. Stiglitz (2008) shows that about 87,000 of these people have formally applied for refugee status in other countries of which most were victims of torture. These violent practices by the insurgents are practiced all over the world and death amounts to maximum horror. To reduce this governments have to set up initiatives meant for reversing the distressing humanitarian costs. Some of these initiatives would include restoring the police forces in all states as this will increase security. The other initiative that would be necessary will be to reduce homicides, massacres and assaults in all warship countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Governments in places where many kidnappings are reported ought to come up with a war of tracking the offenders for example through the use of a tracking device. Material and economic costs Countries that have been known for terrorist attacks such as those in Middle East and Somalia have major problems in their tourism industry. This is because most tourists have the mentality of the country as been scenic and thus adventurous travel site has been tarnished. These countries are declared to be dangerous and thus receive no tourists. This affects also posse’s major problems to the economy as few people are employed due to lack of investors in the country. This makes citizens to languish in poverty as few are employed. Other people affected by war include the displaced and injured as they who have no ability of moving to look for employment. The displaced individuals leave their farms unattended thus posing major challenges to the economy which depends on agricultural products. In the past decade for example about 1.7 million hectares of farms and orchards were left unattended due to war. In fact the costs of unattended soil, lost homes, lost farm products, and lost premises can not be approximated since they are million of dollars everyday. As a result of narco-terrorism which was experienced in Colombia, investments from foreign countries and domestic investors have adversely affected the country’s economy. To reduce on the economic costs governments should restore their infrastructure so that more people will be attracted to invest in other countries. All the public services should also be improved such as educational institutions, water and the provision of health services. This move will enable more citizens to benefit and thus domestic investors will be capable of investing more. The governments should set up an initiative in order to help their domestic investors. The aim of this is to increase on GDP. In order to achieve economic success, governments have encouraged economic institutions to achieve about 5 % increase in their country’s GDP. This will improve the economic sabotage and will also expand the fiscal deficit as well as preventing the state from increasing the military forces. More funds should be kept side for the development of infrastructures which are destroyed by terrorist attacks. These include bridges which are a major objective of terrorist attacks. Each country loses approximately $ 470 million as a result of attacks against the national infrastructure. Other affected areas include energy towers and oil pipelines which have major losses on the country’s economy especially those in the Middle East which produces oil. Ecological and environmental costs Terrorist attacks and war have increasingly destroyed every country’s environment. This cost has posed major concern both nationally and globally. Colonel (2005) describes that the tropical forests, especially in the Amazon River Basin in Colombia have been destroyed. Recently coca is grown in these forests and laboratories are being concealed. In order for the government to restore the environment, extensive support from Humanitarian organizations such as the U.N will be required. Government leaders should also set strategies of partnering with programs meant for the eradication of environmental hazards. The programs should also aim at reducing people’s migration where they leave their farms unattended. The governments should ensure that drug crop is not planted as they are environmentally costly. Some of these crops include coca, opium poppies, and marijuana. Unfortunately, it has been impossible to quantify the damage caused by the cultivation of drug crop due to the violence surrounding their production. These have caused tropical deforestation and watershed pollution (Martin, 2006). The result includes hydrology, and biodiversity which are often devastating and may delay the introduction of substitute crops. The soil is damaged and this discourages farming of legitimate crops which improves the environment. For this reason, governments have introduced a move for hindering the cultivation of drug crops. This move will include encouraging people to plant more trees which encourages more forests thus the planters will not have land to plant their drug crop. This practice accelerates also provides timber and other necessary resources of forestland. To provide economic and social alternatives to coca farmers, the United States Agency for International Development should linked with governments in order to implement an alternative. The government should also strongly support the military forces and police as this promotes a democratic society. The government should also intervene in the projects where terrorists invade peoples land in order to plant illegal products. Social costs The wars experienced in places such as Iraq and Afghan has left many children as orphans as well as leaving many women single. Other individuals have been denied their human rights and essential dignity needed by every citizen. Some of the people affected include farmers, ethnic communities, and indigenous people who are largely patriarchal groups. All these include social problems that every government must face and try to restore unity. To win the peace, governments ought to provide sufficient resources capable of restoring these traditional subcultures. The resources provided should also be capable of improving people’s standard of living for instance those who lost their spouses or parents. For example government should introduce new scholarships as a compensation for the loss. This will be achieved through launching an educational revolution for the purpose of providing necessary services. This will enable the affected individuals to recover from the ravages of the war. Colonel (2005) describes that the government should also set up strategies for educating even the minority communities for example through providing training services or through opening up of libraries which has been implemented in Colombia. Through this approach more people in these minority communities who lack skills of acquiring employment will be in a position of getting these opportunities. The gangs which plan for terror will also be reduced the members are educated or provided with job opportunities. Cultural costs As a result of war, more individuals flee from their home backgrounds. These displaced individuals tend to lose their cultural heritage thus acquiring that of another country. This makes these individuals loose their traditional cultures which instill the values of peace, hard work, and dignity. These people eventually become cynical and alienated as they lack a cultural value in which to follow thus regarded as an unwanted burden. Most of the displaced individuals are not prepared to work in a strange environment and this makes many to depend on humanitarian support for survival. Social services should also be improved for example where more people are encouraged to mingle with other communities in order to learn their culture. Amy (2010) shows that apart from disrupting and destroying traditional cultures, war also corrupts the mainstream society at a greater extent. One example of this is shown where the wife of the U.S. Military Commander in Bogotá had to plead as guilty to the offence of cocaine trafficking. This was in 2000 and the reality of the experience is that drug traffickers will always want to work with any individual for them to improve their interests. Psychological costs Unfortunate psychological pressures are exerted by any armed conflict. These pressures exerted on innocent victims and their families may result to major psychological disorders. Some of these disorders include being unpredictably violent as others turn out to be clinically depressed. The violence may also make some individuals become dysfunctional in their families roles and workplaces for instance where a person may turn out to be a disabled. Most of these individuals are traumatized by torture experienced during war crisis. Other major psychological costs caused by violence include forcible recruitment of young people by terrorists groups. These young individuals may be forced to work in the self defense groups and this violates their normal development. It also practically destroys their human worth and this denies their human rights as well as destroying their human dignity. Linda (2003) shows that in war countries, 40% of the members in the terrorist groups are minors in that most of them are 15 years old or less. The number of soldiers and policemen who are affected by the war increases every year. This study shows how conflict has risen in terms of violence. It also shows how it is difficult to maintain the heavy loss for family members. Most of the people who die in these conflicts include members of the Armed Forces who fight against the transnational enemy. In order for the government to reduce these psychological costs, consultation services have to be introduced in order to guide and counsel the individuals affected. These programs should be introduced in every part of the affected country as it also initiates peace and reconciliation. In caring for the physically affected people, the governments should be in a position of providing them with care for example through issuing wheel chairs and other facilities that would restore the life they used to have before the crisis occurred. More safety clothes should be provided to the members of the armed forces to reduce the increased deaths. Spiritual costs The spiritual losses caused by war are also considered as national costs. Some of these include change of values, loss of the sense of life, and sentiments of insanity. A person is capable of going mad once they think of the lost property during war. Such people also lose confidence in anyone and they have a feeling of fear within them. The war causes desperation especially where one can not escape or revenge. The dead of relatives and friends also may make individual lose the sense of life particularly if the death person was the bread winner of the family. These heavy emotional and spiritual losses make many people feel lost and abandoned. Norman (2003) argues that to reduce the spiritual costs governments of Iraq, Afghan and other countries experiencing war, their government should ensure that the victims of war are effectively counseled and those who are displaced are provided with a better peaceful place where they will be able to recover from the occurrences. Citizens from various governments have expressed their overwhelming need for peace in war countries. This global move will be meant for the creation of peace which will not only be an end to physical violence but also will show respect for basic human rights. The move will also help in the reduction of poverty caused by terrorist attacks and thus will improve political stability. This will bring about an effective political system and built a government that will be accountable in case of any damages. The governments found in places such as Iraq should also ensure that their citizens receive better health care services as well as education. In order for these governments to be in a position of addressing the causes of wars, serious strategies should be established and aim at improving the rule of law. This will include a global crackdown on corruption which is a major cause of disagreements resulting to conflicts. The governments should also end the culture of impunity as well as patronage (Robert, 2007). This strategy will be achieved through reforming the judiciary and the police systems of operations. Systems should be set up in such a way that crimes, cases of violence are investigated in a way that avoids corruption. The governments should also partner with the international community in order to deliver foreign aid and humanitarian assistance. This will be necessary as infrastructure will be improved and more services will be available. The international community should also hold countries such as Afghan in a way that the government will be accountable for developing the country and in the provision of support which will be necessary in the reduction of corruption and violence. The governments should also set up strategies which will ensure that the pro-government forces offer the best security services to the citizens. This will be achieved through setting up policies which tightens restrictions in the forces. The anti government individuals should also be encouraged by the government to express their grievances in a more effective way as this improves political dialogue thus reducing wars. To develop the political dialogue, government should ensure that communication systems between the government and the civilians are improved. These include introducing a blog where citizens can post their comments for and against the government. The comments should then be analyzed according to the needs of citizens through the provision of effective feedback. The other method should be carrying out a survey for instance through questionnaires which should be supplied in all parts of the country. The approach will be appropriate as more people will be ready to express their grievances through political dialogue and therefore reduce violence. The media should also encourage viewers to express their views on governments’ undertakings and the comments summarized and implemented in the effective way (Robert, 2007). To improve nation building, troops should be extended all over the world to facilitate the mission for nation building. The government should also be advice not to cause wars which they will not be accountable for the consequences. One example is where George Bush had to initiate two major wars in Iraq and the other in Afghanistan. The president could not pay for the damages caused by these wars. It is therefore important for government leaders to ensure that all the costs incurred in the process of restoring peace in the country are recovered. This can be achieved through reducing non military spending in the country or it can also be recovered through increase of taxes (Amy, 2010). There are various objectives set and of which guarantee people’s rights. These include the introduction of strategies that denies terrorists sanctuary through the improvement of state control. State control should also be consolidated in every country in order to protect citizens against violent criminals. Countries dominated with drug trade should ensure that the business is destroyed as this is a major influence of terrorists. The trade also generates other crimes such as corruption and other unlawful activities. A sufficient military capability should also be built in order to ensure that security is maintained. Conclusion The cost of war causes major effects in both political and cultural system of the country. Studies have shown that the involvement of the military instrument alone will not be sufficient in the struggle for achieving peace in any country. In stead, the governments should introduce incentives meant for advocating for peace in war affected areas. The move should be conducted globally as this will encourage partnership with other international programs. This will improve global economic positions for instance where Iraq spends more on costs of war the funds can be directed to something of importance to the entire country. Political stability will also be improved through the improvement of communication systems. This includes the introduction of a system where terrorists will be able to communicate directly to the government instead of harming the poor citizens. The systems should be in such a way that feedback is received in the right manner that will not offend the terrorists. Politicians who initiate wars should also be warned of their conducts by being responsible for the damages caused after the initiated war. They should also be encouraged to be in unity with each other through setting up policies that will make is easier to perform their duties. Countries from one region for example the MENA region should introduce a program meant for initiating peace among member countries. These programs will enable these countries share interact with all the leaders and share ideas which will reduce on conflicts. Cultural differences should also be addressed as this is a major cause of conflict. Values that every community follows should be respected by all government leaders. War causes many quantified costs whose circumstances can not even be measured. Government should therefore seek many ways of generating the more revenues capable for fighting terrorism. Some of these methods include increasing taxes especially to the higher income earners. Other governments have increased their security tax especially to corporations. These revenue funds should be used for the development of more security systems and to improve technology. Some of these systems should be used by the soldiers to detect their enemy. The funds should also be used to recruit more military forces that will be capable of patrolling the entire environment. References Amy, Belasco. (2010). The cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and other global war on terror operations Since 9/11, Specialist in U.S. defense policy and budget. Bruce, B. (2009). The cost of war. Are Americans willing to pay it? USAWC. Colonel, J. (2005). Costs of the war in Colombia: A strategic vision of the end of the conflict. U.S army War College. Pennsylvania. Friedman, M. (2004). Acknowledging the psychiatric cost of war. Journal of Medicine. New England. Gelpi, C. & Mueller, J. (2006). The cost of war. Foreign affairs. New York. Linda, B. (2003). The economic costs of the Iraq war: An appraisal three years after the beginning of the conflict. Harvard University. Marcella, G. (2003). The United States and Colombia: The journey from ambiguity to strategic clarity. Strategic Studies Institute. Martin, W. (2006) Chief economics correspondent, < msnbc.com> viewed 17 March 2007. Norman, F. (2003). Terrorism, Afghanistan, and Americans new way of war. U.S Naval Institute. p. 304. Robert, H. (2007), The price of liberty: Paying for America's wars. Stiglitz, J. (2008). The three trillion dollar war: The true cost of the Iraq conflict. Los Angeles. Read More