Thermobaric weapons under fire again

Which brings us back to the rules of war and what’s fair. Human Rights organizations were very vocal when the Russians, who have their own version of this weapon, used thermobaric bombs against the Afghanis decades ago (when Osama was a good guy). They more recently used thermobaric weapons against the Chechnyans, and a similar reaction ensued when the Sri Lankan Army procured thermobaric capability for use against the Tamils. For some detail on the devastation caused by the Russian use of fuel air explosives, see this excellent backgrounder.

What’s the answer?

Military effectiveness is reaching new heights thanks to the technological Rennaissance Part 2 going on. Old golf courses are now not big enough to contain the new clubs and balls, racing machines of every type get faster every year and governing bodies continually reframe rules to stop the ever increasing speeds. The same process of searching for ever more effective solutions is ongoing in the military and greater understanding of the laws of the universe is leading to ever-more effective weapons. Technology is rewriting the rules for us and if we fail to recognise this and constantly reframe the rules, civilised behaviour will never prevail. There is a raft of new and ever deadlier weapons under development and consideration by the US military and they aren't going to make war friendlier. War is ugly and it's very difficult to frame rules around just how ugly the weapons might be.

If we can't stop war, we must at least agree on acceptable rules.

Thermobaric weapons are being used in built-up areas where there are known to be civilians and that clearly needs to be stopped. If you're not sure, read this.

BTW - it is not the fault of the soldiers.