I'm curious to know what you all feel the most "important" aspect of warfare is, as well as your reasoning. Tanks? Really big guns? A spiffy uniform? Supply lines? Theory? Good weather?

I'd have to say Communications. No matter how good your plan is, it can all go to hell if you have no comms.

Hmmm... Well, I'd say that "winning" is likely near the top of the list. Its certainly preferable to losing.

That begs the question though - "At what price victory?"

Knowledge


Knowledge is power
Knowing yourself and capabilities
Knowing your enemy and his capabilities
Knowing your environment
Ect

I'd say troop dedication, fitness and fearlessness are the key factor.

Profit, business and control.

War by it's nature is parasitic and those who command never fight, they just calculate the acceptable losses.

Controlling the terrain of the battlespace.

your opponent should be forced to fight under the worst possible conditions and conditions which favor your own forces. deciding the battlespace is critical to this.

that's why all the recent wars have been urban;...tanks, artillery and aircraft are not as effective in this space and infantry has to be used...religious fanatics that lack heavy weapons benefit from this situation immeasurably.

All good points and food for thought, I think It's the people. You know. But whatever, "morale" is a foreign word after-all

for those at the top of the pyramid, war feeds the egos of nations, and rationalises counter-evolutionary psychosis with the veneer of self-preservation and 'doing what's right'. this is important to those that would mould our existence.

Originally posted by SymbolicLogic
All good points and food for thought, I think It's the people. You know. But whatever, "morale" is a foreign word after-all

Not if I live in france

Morale of the troops, hands down the most important aspect. A well trained, well led, and highly motivated soldier is unstoppable.

If you believe, you can do anything.

all warfare is based on deception

sun tzu

Peace.
Because war is stupid