MILITARY SECURITY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

MILITARY SECURITY - Essay Example Both these military engagements are more similar to each other than to conventional warfare; once the bases are established in a foreign nation, a guerrilla war usually ensues much similar to a local insurgency. Military security can further be categorized in respect of its needs in and outside a military base. This categorization is based on the security dynamics of defending a stronghold and escorting a moving vehicle, crowd or even protecting civilian infrastructure. Both are essential for a military force to dominate; having a secure military base is not enough for a military to be considered successful when it is being harassed by a much smaller force in hit and run attacks. Bloody, city wide, offensives often cause millions to displace. Though this helps secure the city, the consequences are not pleasant for the security in the long term. Once the population returns to the war struck region, it is easy for the insurgents to mix up in the civilian population to infiltrate. This is a significant security challenge for the military. Wadhams reports in The Cincinnati Post, in 2004, of an insurgent infiltrating a fully guarded US security base that was protected by barbed wires and blast walls at Mosul and setting of one of the deadliest explosions. Under such circumstances, security measures often keep on changing to meet the dynamic needs. Adaptability is an essential in ‘fluid situations’, 1st Sgt. Steve Valley is reported to have said in the same report. Suicide attacks change the whole nature of security dynamics as the attacker aims to kill himself in the attack. For the conventional and nuclear warfare, the security of the personnel and equipment is foreseeable but for terrorist attacks, knowing what the enemy is capable of is solely dependent upon previous encounters and intelligence. Pappalardo (2004) reports in â€Å"National Defense† about US military as bases being equipped with chemical and biological detectors as a precaution against attacks from weapons of mass destruction. Security of military bases in the current situation is much sophisticated, especially when it comes to the smaller installations; they rely on first responders and outside help unlike the major ones which have coordination with the local authorities, be it in an occupied territory or in the home country. As the requirement puts it, smaller bases are much more in number and raise the need for sufficient security for undisrupted operations so that they can continue to operate in balance with survival and mission success. Kemp (2008) lists a series of security measures used in protecting the bases in his report on base protection in Armada International. With sufficiently trained personnel, the security measures can range from deploying simple sandbags, screens to disrupt direct line of sight, barriers and fortifications to all weather sensors, patrolling systems, anti personnel mines, counter rocket and mortar systems (C-Ram) and a com mand and control system. Intruder alarms and alertness is the key to defusing any grave situations in event of an attack. Dunigan (2011) highlights the peak utilization of private military security contractors in Victory for Hire: Private Security Companies' Impact on Military Effectiveness. This takes off the load of training and recruiting from the military and allows the military to focus

Colonization and Heart of Darkness is the author for or against it Essay

Colonization and Heart of Darkness is the author for or against it - Essay Example Thesis statement: Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness proves that the author is against colonization because the underlying theme is anti-colonial/sympathy towards the victims of colonization (say, the Africans) (special references to the autobiographical elements in the work). Author’s view on colonization First of all, the theme of the work Heart of Darkness is interconnected with the author’s growth and development from a teenager (deeply interested in geography, maps and adventurous life) to a mariner. Within this context, his voyage to Congo changed his attitude towards colonization and its consequences. To be specific, voyage to the Dark Continent (Africa), especially to Congo, helped Conrad to realize the drawbacks of colonization, forced labor and slavery. Marlow states that â€Å"Strings of dusty niggers with splay feet arrived and departed; a stream of manufactured goods, rubbishy cottons, beads, and brass-wire set into the depth of darkness, and in retu rn came a precious trickle of ivory† (46). In the novel, the undercurrent of sadness and helplessness leads the author to be pessimistic towards life and human values. His voyage to Congo helped him to realize the anti-human aspects of colonizers who considered the African continent as the source of raw materials and slaves, not as a society throbbing with life. Later, Conrad recollected his experiences in Congo and utilized the protagonist as his mouthpiece to communicate with the readers. To be specific, his development from an adventurous teenager to a mature individual who can differentiate the drawbacks of colonization forced him to a pessimistic towards life. From a different angle of view, his deep involvement in Polish Nationalist Movement in his later life can be evaluated as his protest against colonization. Within this context, one can easily identify that the author is totally against colonization and his work can be considered as the protest against colonization a nd it’s far reaching consequences. Autobiographical elements As pointed out, Conrad is the speaker (say, narrator-protagonist, Marlow) and his voyage to Congo in the year 1889 is portrayed in the work. To be specific, in his real life, Conrad decided to travel to the heart of Africa (Congo). So, he decided to seek the help of one of his relatives, namely, Aleksander Poradowski. Later, Conrad came to know that his relative was dead and decided to seek the help of Poradowski’s widow (Marguerite). With her help, Conrad was able to be the commander of a Belgian steam boat which voyaged to Congo. At that time (in 1890s), Congo was under Belgium, especially under King Leopold II. Within this context, trade relation with Congo and Belgium was based upon Belgian colonization in Congo by King Leopold II. In his work, Conrad did not give emphasize to the drawbacks of imperialism or colonization but provided ample importance to his own experience in Congo. Through the character M arlow, Conrad portrayed the hardships faced by the people of Congo under the Belgian colonization. Marlow makes clear that â€Å"They passed me within six inches, without a glance, with that complete, deathlike indifference of unhappy savages† (43). Within this context, one can easily identify that Marlow (say, the protagonist) represents the author’s firsthand experience in Con