The Art of War: Scorched-Earth Policy

Warographics

26 Dec 202319:24

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis script delves into the devastating practice of scorched earth warfare, a strategy aimed at destroying everything to deny resources to the enemy. It discusses the historical use of such tactics, from ancient civilizations to modern conflicts, highlighting the severe impact on civilians and the environment. Despite being prohibited by the Geneva Conventions, the script reveals that scorched earth policies continue to be employed by regimes indifferent to international condemnation, with examples from Myanmar and Ukraine illustrating the ongoing relevance and tragic consequences of this brutal approach to war.

Takeaways

🔥 All wars are influenced by various factors including size, manpower, technology, and resources, but the willingness of each side to escalate determines the severity of the conflict.
🌳 The concept of 'Scorched Earth' policy involves the deliberate destruction of resources to prevent their use by the enemy, which can include devastating measures against civilians, nature, and infrastructure.
⛔ Since 1977, the use of scorched earth tactics has been prohibited by the Geneva Conventions, which aim to protect civilian populations and their essential resources from such warfare.
🌾 The intent behind scorched earth tactics is to deny the enemy the benefits of territory, which can include destroying food sources, poisoning water supplies, and ruining infrastructure.
💥 The consequences of scorched earth warfare are severe, often resulting in the displacement or death of civilians, and long-term damage to the environment and communities.
🏰 Historically, scorched earth tactics have been used by various powers, including ancient Egypt, Rome, and medieval European societies, often as a last resort or part of a larger strategy.
🌍 Vulnerability to scorched earth tactics varies by geography, with nations protected by natural barriers such as oceans, mountains, or deserts being less susceptible.
🔄 The tactics of scorched earth warfare have evolved over time, with modern methods including carpet bombing and the use of defoliants, but some practices like poisoning wells remain unchanged.
🌐 Despite being outlawed, scorched earth tactics continue to be used by regimes and militaries that disregard international condemnation, often as a tool of genocide or to suppress resistance.
🏭 Examples of recent scorched earth warfare include the destruction of infrastructure and civilian areas in conflicts such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Myanmar military's actions against its own people.
🕊️ The future of scorched earth policies is uncertain, with some suggesting they may become more attractive to certain states and non-state actors, despite the potential for severe humanitarian and environmental impacts.

Q & A

What is the definition of a scorched earth policy in warfare?
-A scorched earth policy in warfare is an approach that involves the complete and total destruction of resources, infrastructure, and sometimes even civilian populations to deny the enemy any benefits from the conquered territory.
Why were scorched earth tactics prohibited by the Geneva Conventions in 1977?
-Scorched earth tactics were prohibited by the Geneva Conventions in 1977 because they often involve attacking, destroying, removing, or rendering useless objects essential to the survival of the civilian population, which is considered inhumane and unacceptable in warfare.
What are some examples of scorched earth tactics mentioned in the script?
-Examples of scorched earth tactics include burning down crop fields, poisoning water sources, destroying dams, and ruining civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, roads, bridges, and tunnels.
How does a scorched earth policy affect civilians and non-combatants?
-A scorched earth policy can lead to the destruction of civilian homes, displacement of populations, and the loss of access to food, water, and other essential resources, causing immense suffering and potentially leading to death for those affected.
Can you provide an example of a historical use of scorched earth tactics by a defender?
-An example of a historical use of scorched earth tactics by a defender is during Napoleon's invasion of Russia, where retreating Russian forces burned the countryside to prevent Napoleon's army from living off the land and sustaining themselves.
What is the significance of the term 'gimi Cara' in the context of scorched earth tactics?
-The term 'gimi Cara' was coined by the ruler Shivaji the First in the Maratha Empire to represent scorched earth tactics used against the Mughal Empire, aimed at destroying commercial interests and civilian population centers.
How did scorched earth tactics evolve with technological advancements?
-Technological advancements led to more effective and destructive mechanisms of scorched earth tactics, such as carpet bombing and the use of defoliants like Agent Orange, which were employed to destroy large areas of vegetation and crops.
What is the impact of scorched earth tactics on the environment and ecosystems?
-Scorched earth tactics can have long-lasting impacts on the environment and ecosystems, including the destruction of agriculturally productive regions, poisoning of water sources, and the disruption of natural habitats, which can lead to the extinction of local flora and fauna.
Can you provide an example of a modern conflict where scorched earth tactics have been alleged to be used?
-An example of a modern conflict where scorched earth tactics have been alleged is the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia, where Russian forces have been accused of destroying civilian infrastructure, targeting civilian areas, and causing significant environmental damage.
What are some factors that determine the vulnerability of a territory to scorched earth tactics?
-Factors that determine the vulnerability of a territory to scorched earth tactics include its geographical features, such as being protected by natural barriers like seas, mountains, or deserts, as well as the presence of established agriculturally productive regions and reliance on surrounding territories for resources.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 The Horror of Scorched Earth Warfare

This paragraph introduces the concept of scorched earth warfare, a strategy that involves the deliberate destruction of resources to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. It highlights the devastating nature of this approach, which extends beyond military targets to include civilian infrastructure, the environment, and even the long-term viability of the land itself. The Geneva Conventions' prohibition of such tactics in 1977 underscores their destructiveness. The paragraph sets a grim tone for the discussion of warfare that prioritizes total destruction over the preservation of life and land.

05:02

🌾 The Devastating Tactics of Scorched Earth

This section delves into the specific tactics employed in scorched earth warfare, focusing on the intentional destruction of agriculture, water sources, and civilian infrastructure. It describes how both offensive and defensive military strategies can involve scorched earth, with retreating armies using it to deny resources to pursuers. The paragraph also discusses the vulnerability of different territories to such tactics, noting that smaller or flatter regions with fewer natural barriers are at higher risk. The historical persistence of these tactics, despite their prohibition, is emphasized, along with the technological advancements that have made modern implementations even more destructive.

10:04

🏰 Historical Instances of Scorched Earth

The third paragraph provides a historical overview of scorched earth tactics, tracing their use from ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Rome, through medieval Europe, and into the modern era. It details specific instances, such as the Roman destruction of Carthage, the use of scorched earth by various forces during the 100 Years War, and its application in conflicts like the American Civil War and World War II. The paragraph illustrates the enduring nature of these tactics across different cultures and time periods, despite the humanitarian and strategic costs.

15:05

💥 Modern Manifestations of Scorched Earth Warfare

This paragraph examines the continued relevance of scorched earth tactics in modern conflicts, citing examples from the Malayan Emergency, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, and the Yugoslav Wars. It discusses the use of defoliants like Agent Orange and the targeting of civilian infrastructure in recent warfare. The paragraph also highlights current events, such as the alleged use of scorched earth by Russia in Ukraine, including the destruction of the Kovka Dam and its catastrophic consequences for local communities. The summary underscores the ongoing threat of these tactics and the potential for their future use by states and non-state actors.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Scorched Earth Policy

A scorched earth policy is a military strategy that involves destroying anything that might be useful to the enemy while they are advancing. The term originated from the idea of burning the earth itself so that the enemy could not use the land. In the context of the video, it is depicted as an approach to warfare that is so devastating it aims to leave nothing behind for the enemy, including destroying food sources, poisoning water supplies, and ruining land to stop its productivity. This strategy is highlighted as being prohibited by the Geneva Conventions due to its destructive nature on civilian life and the environment.

💡Geneva Conventions

The Geneva Conventions are international treaties that dictate the treatment of soldiers, civilians, and post-war conditions to ensure 'humane' behavior in war. They are crucial in setting the standards for conduct during armed conflict. In the video, the Geneva Conventions are mentioned as having prohibited the use of scorched earth tactics since 1977, emphasizing the international community's stance against such destructive warfare.

💡Ethnic Cleansing

Ethnic cleansing refers to the systematic removal or extermination of an ethnic group from a region, typically by forced deportation or mass murder. It is considered a crime against humanity. The video script mentions ethnic cleansing alongside scorched earth policy as despicable acts that are kept in the 'forbidden reaches of a strategist's toolkit,' indicating the severity and inhumanity of such tactics in warfare.

💡Nuclear Weapons

Nuclear weapons are weapons that derive their destructive force from nuclear reactions, specifically the detonation of atomic nuclei. They are the most powerful weapons ever created and their use carries catastrophic humanitarian consequences. The script refers to the use of nuclear weapons as one of the few destructive measures that can come 'remotely close' to the devastation of a scorched earth policy, highlighting the extreme level of destruction associated with such weaponry.

💡Civilian Infrastructure

Civilian infrastructure encompasses the basic physical and organizational structures needed for a society to function, such as hospitals, schools, roads, and bridges. In the video, the destruction of civilian infrastructure is discussed as a part of scorched earth warfare, where even essential facilities like hospitals and schools are targeted to deny their use to the enemy, regardless of the impact on civilians.

💡Total Destruction

Total destruction refers to the complete annihilation of something, leaving no remnants or survivors. In the context of the video, it is associated with the intent behind scorched earth tactics, where the goal is to leave nothing of value for the enemy, including the destruction of the environment and civilian life, to ensure nothing survives in its wake.

💡Warfare

Warfare is the conduct and progression of a war, especially with regards to the use of tactics and strategy. The video discusses various aspects of warfare, particularly focusing on scorched earth policy as a form of warfare that is intentionally destructive and inhumane, targeting not just the enemy's military capabilities but also their civilian population and the environment.

💡Ecosystems

Ecosystems refer to a community of living organisms, such as plants, animals, and microbes, interacting with each other and their physical environment. The script mentions the destruction of ecosystems as part of scorched earth tactics, where the environment itself is targeted to ensure that the enemy cannot utilize natural resources, leading to long-term environmental damage.

💡Mass Displacement

Mass displacement occurs when a large number of people are forced to leave their homes due to violence, war, or disaster. In the video, mass displacement is mentioned as one of the potential outcomes of scorched earth warfare, where civilians are forced to abandon their homes and communities due to the destruction of their environment and infrastructure.

💡Colonial Powers

Colonial powers refer to countries that historically controlled or influenced the policies and affairs of territories and peoples overseas. The script discusses how colonial powers have used scorched earth tactics as a means to suppress insurgencies and break the will of indigenous populations, highlighting the historical use of such tactics in conflicts involving colonial domination.

💡World Wars

The World Wars, specifically World War I and World War II, were two of the largest and deadliest global conflicts in history, involving many of the world's nations. The video script refers to the use of scorched earth tactics during these wars, with examples such as the Russian retreat during World War I and the actions of the Soviet Union and Germany in World War II, to illustrate the widespread and devastating application of such strategies.

Highlights

Scorched Earth policy is a devastating approach to warfare that aims to leave nothing behind for the enemy.

Since 1977, the use of scorched Earth tactics has been prohibited by the Geneva Conventions.

Scorched Earth tactics involve denying the enemy the benefits of territory by destroying food, water, and infrastructure.

The policy often results in the destruction of civilian lives and mass displacement.

Scorched Earth warfare can include burning crops, poisoning water sources, and destroying civilian infrastructure.

Defending armies have historically employed scorched Earth policies as they retreat to deny resources to attackers.

Smaller nations or those with flat land are particularly vulnerable to scorched Earth tactics.

Tactics like carpet bombing and the use of napalm represent an evolution of scorched Earth warfare in the modern era.

Ancient Rome is noted for its extensive use of scorched Earth tactics against enemies.

Scorched Earth tactics were used during the American Civil War, notably in General Sherman's March to the Sea.

Colonial powers have historically used scorched Earth tactics to suppress insurgencies and indigenous populations.

World War II saw widespread use of scorched Earth tactics, including by Germany and the Soviet Union.

The use of defoliants like Agent Orange in Vietnam represents a modern application of scorched Earth principles.

Scorched Earth tactics have been employed in recent conflicts in the Middle East and former Yugoslavia.

Despite being prohibited, scorched Earth policies are still used by regimes and militaries indifferent to international condemnation.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has seen accusations of Russia using scorched Earth tactics, including the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam.

Scorched Earth policies may become more attractive to pariah states and lone actors on the international stage.

Transcripts

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