Why some conflicts are designed to never reach a conclusion
A perpetual war is not just a long conflict; it is a state of ongoing tension with no clear exit strategy. From the Vietnam War to the modern war on terror, these 'forever wars' often persist due to economic incentives, political maneuvers, or the sheer difficulty of defeating an invisible enemy.
The concept of perpetual war describes a lasting state of conflict lacking the specific conditions required for peace. Unlike traditional warfare, which historian Bruce Hoffman notes ends with a formal surrender or armistice, 'forever wars' like the war on terror lack a specific battlefield or a defined enemy. This ambiguity can lead to a self-perpetuating loop. For example, historian James Chace argues that US policies in Central America, intended to deter communist expansion, actually created the very instability that necessitated further military responses.
Economic and political structures often play a role in sustaining these conflicts. Some theorists, including Noam Chomsky, suggest that perpetual war can serve the interests of dominant political and economic classes to maintain superiority. This is linked to the 'military-industrial-congressional complex,' where the continuous flow of funding into military institutions acts as a domestic political engine. Even President Eisenhower warned in his 1961 farewell address that the expansion of the armaments industry could lead to a 'grave' rise of misplaced power and profit from warfare.
The mechanics of stalemate also contribute to indefinite fighting. In civil wars, a lack of democracy is associated with higher risks of conflict, which can lead to military stalemates. Additionally, small armed groups can use guerrilla tactics to wear down larger nations, as seen with Al-Qaeda's strategy in Afghanistan. In some cases, ideological or religious motivations make negotiated peace nearly impossible, as parties may believe the opponent must be entirely destroyed. This creates a state of 'nearly perpetual war,' seen in long-standing conflicts like those in Myanmar and Israel-Palestine, both of which have persisted for over 75 years.
Source: Perpetual war
