During the twentieth century, wars claimed 108 million lives. The United States is the world’s second largest military force, with 1.3 million military personnel. The US also is the world’s leading exporter of military weapons to developing nations. It exported $131 billion in arms from 1994 to 2001.

War is a continuum of engagement encompassing conflict among nations, state-based wars, and global wars. Traditionally, war has been viewed as a contest between nations. However, it has evolved to include a wider spectrum of engagement.

Global wars are fought between terrorist groups, transnational criminal networks, and other non-state actors. These actors use military force, information operations, and social influence to achieve their objectives. This expanded definition of war includes three attributes: the broader interpretation of who engages in war, the complexity of who benefits from war, and the range of outcomes associated with war.

War has a catastrophic effect on the health, education, and livelihoods of millions of people. The majority of civilians are women and children, and most suffer injuries and deaths as a result of war. During war, supplies of food and water are often destroyed, and economic infrastructure can collapse for generations.

In addition to the devastating impact on a country’s people, war affects the international community. Throughout history, people have often questioned whether war is the right way to end suffering. In addition to destroying a country’s physical infrastructure, war can disrupt normal human relations, destroying the social fabric of a nation. The resulting psychological trauma can affect generations of people, and mental disorders are more common among women and children. In addition, the rights of women and children are often diminished during times of war, and they are often exposed to atrocities.

Children are also at risk in civil wars. They are often recruited at an early age and often given drugs and alcohol as part of the initiation of military service. They also have limited understanding of death and death-related behaviors. This makes children more likely to be seen as potential enemies, and forced to join a war in order to protect themselves.

During times of conflict, the rights of refugees, children, and women are at risk, as is the freedom of the press. In addition, the rights of minorities are also affected. War has an effect on health that is comparable to major diseases. It can also cause psychosomatic problems such as depression, insomnia, and back pain.

In addition, war reduces material capital, decreases the number of professional soldiers, and reduces the birth rate. Children who are recruited into military service are often exposed to atrocities. They often are given alcohol and drugs and have no clear understanding of death.

It is important for strategic leaders to consider the larger, broader definition of war. The historical context of war has left an indelible impression on the minds of the general public. The authors of this paper attempt to open an aperture through which strategic leaders can view the concept of war.